Optometry Position Lakeland FL

The James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is seeking a full-time Optometrist to provide comprehensive eye care to Veterans at our Lakeland, Florida outpatient clinic. This position offers the opportunity to practice patient-focused optometry in a collegial, mission-driven healthcare system.

Position Details

• Deliver comprehensive optometric care including routine eye exams, diagnosis and management of ocular disease, and refractive services

• Manage chronic eye conditions and coordinate care with ophthalmology and other specialties

• Utilize state-of-the-art equipment within an integrated healthcare system

• Focus on quality care without the pressures of private practice productivity or insurance billing

Why Join the VA?

• Stable, predictable schedule with excellent work-life balance

• Team-based care model with strong clinical support

• No call requirements

Qualifications

• Doctor of Optometry (OD) from an ACOE-accredited program

• Current, unrestricted U.S. optometry license

• U.S. citizenship required

Location – Lakeland, Florida

Lakeland offers an affordable cost of living, scenic lakes, and a welcoming community. Located between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland provides easy access to beaches, major airports, professional sports, and world-class attractions while maintaining a relaxed lifestyle.

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 2025, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $23,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $31,000.
• 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