Job Title: Optometrist – Compensation & Pension (C&P) Disability Evaluator

Job Description

Role Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented and empathetic Optometrist to perform Compensation and Pension (C&P) examinations for our nation’s Veterans. In this role, you will not be providing long-term treatment or prescriptions. Instead, your primary focus is to conduct objective diagnostic ocular exams and provide high-quality medical opinions that help the VA determine disability benefits.

Key Responsibilities

• Comprehensive Evaluations: Perform non-treatment ocular examinations focusing on visual acuity, field of vision, muscle dysfunction, and any service-connected pathologies (e.g., glaucoma, macular degeneration, or traumatic eye injuries).

• Medical Record Review: Thoroughly review the Veteran's military medical history and digital records prior to the exam to understand the "nexus" (connection) between their service and current condition.

• Electronic Reporting: Utilize specialized software to complete Disability Benefit Questionnaires (DBQs). These reports must be concise, evidence-based, and completed within a strict 24–48 hour turnaround time.

• Medical Opinion & Rationale: Provide expert medical opinions regarding whether a condition was "at least as likely as not" caused or aggravated by the Veteran’s military service.

• Patient Interaction: Manage the examination process with a high degree of professionalism and empathy, ensuring Veterans feel heard while maintaining the objectivity required for a legal medical-legal document.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Doctor of Optometry (OD) from an accredited school of optometry.

• Licensure: Active, unrestricted state license (any US state license is typically accepted for federal contract work).

• Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in using Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and the ability to synthesize clinical findings into written narratives.

• Experience: Prior experience with C&P exams or the VA system is a plus, but we are willing to train candidates with strong diagnostic and writing skills.

Skills for Success

• Clinical Objectivity: The ability to differentiate between subjective complaints and objective clinical findings.

• Writing Precision: You must be able to explain complex medical concepts in a way that a non-medical VA rater can understand.

• Time Management: Efficiently balancing face-to-face exam time with the administrative demands of report writing.

Why This Role?

• No "Selling": No pressure for optical sales or high patient volume.

• Work-Life Balance: Typically a "business hours" role with no on-call requirements.

• Mission-Driven: You play a critical role in ensuring Veterans receive the benefits they earned through their service.

• Ability to choose your own hours: You have the freedom to set your own schedule and hours.

Office

We are a relaxed low pressure office. We believe in giving the highest quality care

Candidate Description

1. Administrative Pro

Because this role is 50% exam and 50% report writing, the ideal candidate must be comfortable behind a keyboard.

• Documentation Speed: They need to be proficient with EHR systems and able to synthesize clinical findings into a narrative quickly.

• Turnaround Discipline: Since these contracts often have strict 24–48 hour deadlines for report submission, they must be highly organized and deadline-driven.

2. Forensic Clinical Mindset

In a standard eye exam, the goal is to fix the problem (e.g., "Which is better, 1 or 2?"). In an evaluation, the goal is to document the problem accurately.

• Objective Observation: You need someone who can remain objective if a patient's subjective complaints don't match the clinical findings.

• Medical Nexus Understanding: They should be able to look at a 10-year-old service record and determine if a current cataract or case of dry eye is "at least as likely as not" caused by an event during deployment (like burn pit exposure or trauma).

3. High Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Veterans coming in for these exams are often stressed; their financial future or healthcare access may depend on the outcome.

• Empathy without Bias: They must be able to make the Veteran feel "heard" and respected while maintaining the professional boundaries required for a medical-legal evaluation.

• Conflict De-escalation: Occasionally, a Veteran may be frustrated by the VA process itself. The candidate needs the poise to stay neutral and professional.

Candidate Requirements

Must be licensed to practice optometry in the state of Florida.