Supervisory Optometrist

Job Description

Department of Health and Human Services

Indian Health Service

Pine Ridge Service Unit/Pine Ridge Hospital

Summary

This position serves as the Supervisory Optometrist for the Pine Ridge Service Unit in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. The incumbent is responsible for managing the Service Unit’s comprehensive eye care program, supervising the Optometry Department staff, overseeing program operations and compliance, and providing direct patient care as a licensed Optometrist. This role reports directly to the Deputy Clinical Director.

🩺 Key Duties

• Direct and oversee all aspects of the Service Unit’s eye care program, including developing and managing the annual departmental budget.
• Ensure that the department complies with accreditation standards and Service Unit policies and procedures.
• Supervise Optometry staff by assigning duties, evaluating performance, and conducting performance appraisals.
• Provide full-scope clinical optometry services, including diagnosing, treating, and managing ocular conditions and diseases.
• Serve as the subject matter expert in Optometry and provide professional consultation and guidance to other healthcare providers within the Service Unit.

✅ Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• This position is covered by Public Law 101-630 and requires contact with or control over Indian children; applicants must not have disqualifying criminal convictions.
• A one-year supervisory probationary period may be required.
• Selectees must meet Employee Health policy requirements related to immunizations (Measles, Rubella, COVID-19, seasonal influenza). Exemptions may be requested based on medical or religious grounds, per National and Service Unit guidance.
• Must obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including holding an active, unrestricted optometry license. Failure to maintain privileges may result in disciplinary action, up to removal.
• Must successfully pass an E-Verify employment check and a pre-employment fingerprint/background investigation. Continued employment depends on passing a full background investigation and suitability determination.
• Providing false information may result in termination or criminal prosecution. A credit check may be required.

🎓 Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) accredited program.
• Passing score on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exams.
• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory.

Minimum Qualifications for GS-13:

• At least one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 level or equivalent, demonstrating the ability to:
  • Manage a full-scope optometry program.
  • Provide direct optometric medical care.
  • Supervise and evaluate optometry staff performance.
  • Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and maintain high quality of care.
  • Serve as a clinical expert and resource for other healthcare professionals.

Time in Grade:
Merit Promotion (status) applicants must have completed one year at the next lower grade level. Time-in-grade does not apply to Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP) applicants.

🎓 Education

• Submit transcripts or a detailed list of completed courses (titles, credit hours, grades). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for initial application; official transcripts will be required if selected.
• Education must be from a U.S. Department of Education accredited institution: Accreditation Verification
• Foreign degrees must be accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency: Foreign Qualification Info

💡 Additional Information

• COVID-19 vaccination is required before starting employment unless an approved medical or religious exemption is granted.
• Federal employees earn annual leave based on years of service; newly appointed employees may receive credit for related non-federal experience or active duty military service to determine leave accrual rate.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be offered with a required minimum service agreement.
• This position qualifies under the Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps; PHS Officers must apply through the Merit Promotion process for consideration. Learn more: USPHS Commissioned Corps
• Student Loan Repayment Programs may be available through IHS, NHSC, or HRSA:
  • IHS Loan Repayment
  • NHSC Loan Repayment
  • HRSA Nurse Corps
  • How You Will Be Evaluated
    Your application will be evaluated to determine how well you meet the required qualifications outlined in this announcement.
    Additional selections may be made from this announcement or for similar positions within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the same local commuting area. By submitting your application, you consent to having your materials shared with other selecting officials within HHS as appropriate. Priority placement rights for CTAP/ICTAP eligible applicants will be applied for all similar positions.
    Your qualifications will be assessed through a thorough review of your resume and any supporting documentation, comparing your experience and education to the requirements listed in this vacancy announcement and your responses to the assessment questionnaire.
    You will be further evaluated on your demonstrated competencies in the following areas:
    Education and Training
    Interpersonal Skills
    Managing Human Resources
    Medical Documentation
    Technical Documentation
    Based on your responses to the assessment questionnaire, you will receive a numeric rating. Please ensure your resume clearly describes your relevant duties and accomplishments; failure to substantiate your answers may result in a lower rating or loss of consideration.
    For more information on eligibility for special hiring authorities, refer to the following resources:
    Veterans’ Preference (VEOA, VRA, 30% or more disabled): Veterans’ Guide
    Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP): IHS CTAP Guide
    Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): OPM ICTAP Guide
    Schedule A Appointments for Individuals with Disabilities: OPM Disability Hiring
    To preview the assessment questionnaire, click here: View Questionnaire