Optometrist

Optometrists.  Preferred candidates possess excellent communication skills and has completed an Optometry Residency Program.   We are fully committed to providing top quality medical care by serving and honoring America’s Veterans. 

The Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, at Fort Smith, AR, is seeking two (1) full-time, board certified, Candidates must possess an OD from an accredited institution, have completed residency training leading to board eligibility/certification, and possess an active, current, unrestricted license in any U.S. State. 

Highlights of this opportunity:

• Permanent full-time position
• Daily schedule, Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm

• Provide comprehensive eye care services as well as follow-up care of existing conditions and management of emergency conditions.
• Examination of the human eye to diagnose and treat abnormal conditions of the human eye or adnexa.
• Prescribing of lenses, devices containing lenses, prisms, contact lenses, orthotics, vision training, pharmaceutical agents, and prosthetic devices to correct, relieve or treat defects or abnormal conditions or the human eye or its adnexa.
• Referral to and consultation with other health care providers

VA offers an exceptional benefits package for physicians, including up to 55 days off annually, affordable health, life, vision, dental, and long-term care insurance, up to 12 weeks of paid paternity/maternity leave, malpractice insurance that includes tail coverage, and more. Working for federal employers allows you to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness after 10 years of service.

Don’t miss this chance to join our team and serve those who have served us!

Fort Smith Fort Smith began as a military post, a location in town you can still visit today. It was built up as a Western town with a history of gunslingers and pioneers. Its many museums and historical sites tell an intriguing and entertaining story of a community that was built by imaginative, hardworking, progressive people. Shopping is plentiful in Fort Smith, and residents can find just about anything they need or want here. Fort Smith offers many different restaurants with a large variety of types of cuisine. From fast food to family dining, all of your favorite chains are here. You will also find small independent cafes and high-end dining options. Pizza parlors, grills, steakhouses, and Asian restaurants are all available. You can even find eclectic meals made by award-winning chefs. This is a town of parks and open spaces where you can always find a place to exercise or play outside. You can take a walk down on the riverfront, or you can start a game of soccer in one of the neighborhood parks. Large parks like Creekmore have swimming facilities and even a train. The lake is the place for aquatic activities like boating, fishing, and swimming. Put a kayak or canoe into the water to explore the landscape from the water. At night, the place to be in Fort Smith is downtown. You’ll find live bands playing all styles of music from rock to bluegrass in cool venues that are fun to see.

Paid Time Off:

• 26 Days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave
• 13 Days paid sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation
• 11 paid Federal holidays per year
• 5 Days paid absence to attend approved CME courses

Insurance:

• Health Insurance: VA employees have an outstanding number of health insurance plans from which to choose (premiums are partially paid by VA) Lifetime Healthcare Insurance options available
• Dental & Vision: Our insurance options also include exceptional vision and dental plans (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• VA employees have the option to use Flexible Spending Accounts, which allow you to use tax-free dollars to pay for medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance plan
• Term life insurance, family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government
• Long-term care insurance is available as an option

Federal Retirement Plan:

• VA employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits, 2) FERS-RAE basic benefits (pension), and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan
• How is the pension funded? VA employees automatically contribute 4.4% of their salary each pay period and the VA contributes 12.2% of the employee’s salary each pay period for a total annual contribution percentage equal to 16.6% of the employee’s salary
• Similar to the 401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector, the TSP allows employees to tax defer a portion of their income each year, subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. For calendar year 2020, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $19,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $25,500.
• The Federal Government also provides an automatic basic contribution (1% of salary) and up to 4% of salary in matching contributions, depending on the amount of the employee contribution
• For retired military personnel, these benefits are in addition to full monthly retirement pay or pension
• In addition to FERS, VA provides health care insurance coverage for retired personnel
• Disability Retirement
• Employees are vested in a federal pension after only 5 years service