Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

In addition to observance of Federal and Local regulatory, policy, and accreditation requirements governing STVHCS, this position encompasses the following examples of responsibilities overseen by the Chief of Eye Care Services:

Administration:
Leadership Responsibilities: Supervises section staff meetings; communicates down to staff, across to other Section and Service Chiefs and up to Leadership; craft congressional responses if appropriate; creates issue briefs when requested to do so by the Chief of Surgical Services. May serve as Acting Chief of Surgical Services in the absence of the Chief.
HR Management/Staff Management: Participates in recruitment as necessary; updates functional statements & position descriptions; provides the information required for physician salary and pay panel documentation; reviews non-VA care documentation; assists with focused and ongoing professional practice evaluation (FPPE/OPPE) reviews on privileged staff; supervises the management of employee 6-part folder and documentation for all subordinate staff; ensures performance appraisals are completed for the Eye Service.
Time/Leave Management: Assigns and documents Tours of Duty; supervises approval of leave, timecard certification, and clinic cancellations; ensures continuous clinic coverage.
Business Planning/Systems Redesign: Manages service DSS mapping (workload), staffing needs (equipment, IT, supplies, space, etc.); oversee Program Coordinator in preparation of the annual Service Business Plan to be presented to Senior Leadership.
Clinic Management including Indirect Patient Care: Monitor open encounters, consult management, and proper CPRS documentation requirements; oversee clinic scheduling & access; ensure staff productivity; oversee relevant performance measures; monitor metrics for utilization, quality, and Patient Safety; participate in process improvement.

Supervision: The Chief of Eye Care Services reports directly to the Chief of Surgical Services. The Chief of Eye Care Services has full supervisory authority over staff members who provide clinical and administrative support to Ophthalmology and Optometry Sections. The incumbent is responsible for the daily operation of the section and ensures that agency policies and priorities are followed. Supervisory responsibilities include planning work schedules, assigning work to employees, accepting, amending, or rejecting completed work, and ensuring that production and accuracy requirements are met. Other supervisory responsibilities include developing performance standards and ratings, evaluating work performance, supervising employee leave, and assisting with appropriate disciplinary measures. The incumbent gives advice, counsel, and instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. The incumbent hears and resolves minor complaints from employees and collaborates with labor relations to resolve grievances and serious complaints. The incumbent interviews candidates for positions in the unit; recommends appointments, promotions, and reassignment to unit positions; identifies and provides training needs; implements processes to improve production or increase the quality of work within the area of authority.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday; 7:30am-4:00pm
Telework: Available; Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Podiatrist Basic Requirements

• Education: Degree as a doctor of podiatric medicine, or its equivalent, from a school of podiatric medicine approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Approved schools are United States schools of podiatric medicine approved by the Council on Podiatry Education of the American Podiatry Association in the year in which the degree was granted. ~AND~
• Residency Training: Completed, or currently completing, residency training, or its equivalent, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. VA Podiatrists involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status. Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education, the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, in the list published for the year the residency was completed, or (2) Other residencies and training experiences, or their equivalents, which the local Professional Standards Board determines to have provided an applicant with appropriate professional training. ~AND~
• Licensure or Registration: Currently hold, or will hold, a full and unrestricted license to practice Podiatry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia.
• English Language Proficiency: Proficiency in spoken and written English. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Podiatrists appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).

• Integrated Service Line Leadership Experience leading a combined Ophthalmology and Optometry service within STVHCS, including coordination with ASC and Blind Rehabilitation programs to ensure seamless, high-quality care delivery at all levels of eye care, overseeing a total of sixty personnel.
• Strategic Planning and VISN/National Alignment Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic plans aligned with VISN priorities and national VA performance standards, with a focus on sustaining high productivity and access metrics.
• Operational Excellence and Access Management Expertise in clinic flow, consult management, and scheduling optimization to improve access, reduced wait times, and maintain efficiency exceeding national benchmarks.
• Data-Driven Performance Management Strong ability to analyze workload, productivity, and access data to guide decision-making, improve resource utilization, and enhance veteran care outcomes through OPES Power BI data analysis.
• Academic and Workforce Development Experience supporting residency/fellowship programs, student extern training, and recruitment pipelines to sustain a high-performing clinical workforce. Incumbent must be able to staff residents in both the operating room and clinic.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Leadership Proven leadership in fostering collaboration between Optometry and Ophthalmology services, promoting a unified culture focused on access, quality, and Veteran-centered care.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps