Chief of Optometry

The Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, in Fayetteville, AR, is seeking a full-time, board certified, Chief of Optometry.  We are fully committed to providing top quality medical care by serving and honoring America’s Veterans.

Highlights of this opportunity:

• Potential starting base salary range: $143,736-$186,854K

• Daily schedule, Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm

• Supervises Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, Health Technicians, and other staff as required
• Responsible for Optometry service evaluation of proficiency and competency reviews using techniques of direct observation and chart reviews
• Provides comprehensive eye care services, as well as follow-up care of existing conditions and management of emergency conditions
• Develop and provide medical education/counseling of patients and their families with a focus on delivery of evidence based, outcomes focused and Veteran centric care
• Promote contemporary patient care programs for eye clinic and surgery
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): To a highly qualified candidate
  Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more.
  
  
  Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases
  Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME)
  Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
  Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
  Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
  CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)
  Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided
  Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting

Fayetteville is nestled in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, and is an outdoor paradise with hiking, golf, fishing, rafting, boating, and four distinct seasons. Fayetteville is the home of the University of Arkansas "Razorbacks" which provides the community with a college atmosphere. The area is home to several fortune 500 businesses such as Wal-Mart, Tyson Foods, and J. B. Hunt Trucking, who have been generous benefactors for the community and the arts. In the neighboring community of Bentonville, Crystal Bridges Museum has been labeled as one the top 10 must see places in America. Fayetteville has outstanding public schools, excellent parks and trail system and is ranked as 4th "best college sports town" and 8th for business and careers by Forbes Magazine. Fayetteville is ranked as 7th best city in America to work, live and play by Kiplinger. The cost of living is 90% of the national average with affordable housing available in all price ranges.

The Best Care and the Best Careers…The mission of the Veterans Healthcare System is to serve the needs of America's veterans by providing primary care, specialized care, and related medical and social support services. To accomplish this mission, the VA needs to be a comprehensive, integrated healthcare system that provides excellence in health care value, excellence in service as defined by its customers, and excellence in education and research, and needs to be an organization characterized by exceptional accountability and by being an employer of choice.

The Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks… has been improving the health of the men and women who have so proudly served our nation. We consider it our privilege to serve your health care needs in any way we can. Services are available to more than 136,000 veterans living in a 24-county area of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.

Located in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks is a 72 bed facility which provides acute medical, surgical psychiatric care and both primary and secondary levels of outpatient services.

In addition to Primary Care services, there are cardiology and surgery services including general surgery, urology, orthopedics, gynecology, ear nose and throat (ENT), optometry, podiatry, outpatient neurosurgery consultation, amputee evaluation, and prevent amputation care team (PACT). There are also Diabetes, Women’s Health and Mental Hygiene specialty clinics. Other programs and services include dental care, a combined cardio-pulmonary function lab, ultrasound, echocardiography services, and an ambulatory surgery program.

Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, Fayetteville, Arkansas…Fayetteville is nestled in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. The area has four distinct seasons and is an outdoor paradise for hiking, fishing, rafting, and water sports. Fayetteville is the home of the University of Arkansas with the nationally recognized Arkansas Razorbacks.  The University affords the community with a college and diverse cultural atmosphere.  Walton Arts Center is a hub of cultural activities.  The area is home to several fortune 500 companies including Wal-Mart headquarters, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt Transport.  Northwest Arkansas enjoys a low unemployment rate and a low crime rate. Fayetteville school system is excellent.   Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport has direct flights to Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Houston, and Denver.  For additional information go to:

http://www.fayettevillear.com/ 

Paid Time Off:

• 26 Days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave
• 13 Days paid sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation
• 11 Federal holidays with pay annually
• 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