Advance Your Career: Optometrist Opportunity at Naval Branch Health Clinic

Are you a dedicated eye care professional eager to provide high-quality care to those who defend our nation? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is currently seeking a talented and compassionate Optometrist to join the team at the Naval Branch Health Clinic in Belle Chasse, Louisiana. This position offers a unique blend of clinical challenge and professional pride, allowing you to serve military service members and their families while working within a collaborative medical environment.

Job Responsibilities

As an Optometrist in this setting, your day-to-day work will be both diverse and vital. Your primary responsibilities will include:

Comprehensive Exams: Performing in-depth visual analyses and eye health examinations.
Clinical Diagnostics: Utilizing advanced instruments to evaluate functional vision, depth perception, visual fields, and contrast sensitivity.
Treatment Planning: Correcting visual anomalies and developing treatment plans involving lenses, prisms, and ophthalmic devices.
Specialized Care: Assessing how vision integrates with other sensory systems, specifically within behavioral and developmental optometry.
Patient Education: Advising service members on ocular health and vision maintenance for peak performance.

Requirements

To be considered for this role, candidates must meet specific federal requirements:

Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Education: Completion of a Doctor of Optometry degree from an ACOE-accredited program.
Licensure: An unrestricted state-level license to practice and passing scores on all National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exams.
Experience: At least one year of specialized experience in examining, diagnosing, and treating visual disorders.
Security: Ability to qualify for a Secret security clearance and pass moderate-risk suitability assessments.

Salary Overview

This position offers a competitive federal salary, commensurate with experience and subject to locality pay adjustments. The current pay range for this role is $89,508 to $116,362 per year.

Pay Component	Details
Salary Range	$89,508 - $116,362 per year
Pay Interval	Per Year
Locality Pay	Included in total salary

Benefits

Federal employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that is among the best in the nation. Key benefits include:

Health, Dental, and Vision insurance options.
Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching.
Federal leave program, including sick, annual, and federal holidays.
Access to specialized clinical training and career growth opportunities.

Application Tips

To maximize your chances of selection, follow these expert tips:

Format Matters: Keep your resume to a maximum of two pages. Excessive length will cause your application to be rejected.
Quantify Experience: Be specific about your clinical hours and duties. Ensure the recruiter understands your specialized experience.
Documents: Double-check that your license and educational transcripts are uploaded. Failure to include these results in an immediate "ineligible" rating.
Clarity: Use plain language. Avoid obscure medical acronyms that may not be familiar to HR staff.

Serving as an Optometrist with the Defense Health Agency is more than a job; it is a commitment to the health and readiness of the U.S. Armed Forces. If you meet the qualifications and are ready for a rewarding career change, we encourage you to apply to the Naval Branch Health Clinic in Belle Chasse today.

Why This Optometrist Job Matters

Join the Defense Health Agency as an Optometrist and deliver world-class clinical vision care to those who serve our nation at the Naval Branch Health Clinic in Belle Chasse.

Optometrist Job Overview

The Naval Branch Health Clinic in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, is seeking a dedicated and skilled Optometrist to join its interdisciplinary medical team. In this role, you will act as a primary care provider, conducting comprehensive ocular examinations, diagnosing visual disorders, and developing treatment plans for military service members and their families. This is a critical opportunity to contribute to the mission of the Defense Health Agency by ensuring the visual health and combat readiness of the Joint Force.

Requirements for Optometrist

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Possess a Doctor of Optometry degree from an ACOE-accredited program.
Hold a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a State, DC, Puerto Rico, or U.S. territory.
Achieved a passing score on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) examinations.
Minimum of one year of specialized experience in clinical optometry, or completion of an accredited residency program.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
Subject to pre-employment drug testing.
Ability to work in a high-security environment and complete required suitability/fitness background checks.

Preferred Qualifications for Optometrist

Experience in behavioral and developmental optometry.
Proven proficiency in using modern ophthalmic diagnostic instrumentation.
Strong communication skills for interdisciplinary team collaboration.
Demonstrated ability to perform comprehensive visual analysis, including depth perception, contrast sensitivity, and color perception testing.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Comprehensive federal health insurance and retirement plans.
✓Generous paid time off and federal holidays.
✓Access to a dynamic, mission-driven work environment.
✓Potential for recruitment or relocation incentives for highly qualified candidates.
✓Direct deposit of pay.
✓Professional development within the Defense Health Agency system.

💡 How to Apply Optometrist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Optometrist Job

Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
Prepare a resume that is strictly two pages or less, clearly documenting your work history and hours per week.
Complete the online questionnaire via the provided application link.
Upload required documentation, including your optometry license, transcripts, and any performance appraisals.
Ensure your application and all documents are submitted by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
Check your application status through your USAJOBS dashboard.

💡 General Tips

Your resume must be exactly two pages or less; longer resumes will be automatically excluded.
Clearly state your specialized experience, including employer names, dates of employment, and average hours worked per week.
Avoid acronyms and industry jargon that a human resources specialist might not understand.
Ensure your license and education transcripts are clearly uploaded, as these are mandatory for eligibility.
Submit early to allow for the automated virus scan process for uploaded documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a security clearance required for this position?

Yes, this position requires a Secret level security clearance, and successful candidates must undergo suitability and fitness background checks.

Can I use foreign education to meet the requirements?

Yes, but you must provide an official evaluation from a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign education programs to demonstrate equivalency.

Are there relocation benefits available?

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates, though Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not currently authorized.

What is the work environment like?

*A: You will work within an interdisciplinary military medical team at a clinic, ensuring a collaborative and highly professional environment.*

Is relocation assistance offered?

*A: While permanent change of station (PCS) costs are not currently authorized, recruitment or relocation incentives may be available for highly qualified candidates.*

Job from Military Treatment Facilities Under Dha

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is a joint, integrated Combat Support Agency that enables the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force medical services to provide a medically ready force and a ready medical force. By joining this team, you become an essential part of a global health system that supports 9.5 million uniformed service members, retirees, and their families. At the Naval Branch Health Clinic in Belle Chasse, you will be at the forefront of this mission, providing high-level care that directly impacts the combat readiness and quality of life of our military personnel.