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Basic Information

Category Title: Primary Care Optometry
Program Area of Emphasis: Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Program Site: James A Haley Veterans' Hospital
Program Location: VA
Program Address: Eye Clinic (130)- 10770 N. 46th St

Tampa, Florida 33617
Phone Number: 813 972 2000 ext 2474
Fax Number:
Email:
Affiliation: Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus at Drexel University
Director of Residency Education:

Shital Mani, OD FAAO



PCO/Salus University



smani@salus.edu


Program Application Deadline: February 1
Program URL: https://www.salus.edu/colleges/optometry/residency-programs/affiliated-programs.html

Program Description

Date Program Established: 07/2015
ACOE Accreditation Status: Accredited

Contact the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) at accredit@theacoe.org or 1-800-365-2219. Click here for more information about accreditation of optometric residency programs.

Combined Residency/Graduate Program: No
Accepts International Applicants:
Comment:
Program Mission Statement:

The mission of the program is to provide qualified post-doctoral practitioners with an advanced educational experience that will enhance their clinical skills in primary care and brain injury rehabilitation. These individuals will be capable of serving the diverse aspects of our multicultural veteran population. Individuals completing the program will be able to deliver an advanced level of optometric care in a clinical setting, participate in co-management of multidisciplinary practice, and interact appropriately in interprofessional rehabilitation.


Program Description:

The James A Haley Veterans' Hospital offers a one year Primary Eye Care residency with emphasis on Brain Injury Vision Rehabilitation. The program includes clinical and didactic instruction as well as the opportunity to teach Optometry externs and to lecture to other Optometry residents in the VISN 8 Residents' Day Conferences. This program also includes close interaction and co-management of ocular disease with ophthalmology to offer experience in the full scope of eye care. Visual dysfunction secondary to brain injury, brought to the forefront due to recent war activity and increased awareness of sports injury is also a major contributor to sight impairment. Unlike other programs, the uniqueness of this residency lies in deep exposure to Brain Injury Vision Rehabilitaion, an understaffed area of Optometric care in the VA and civilian patient populations.


Program Length: 1 year
Number of Positions Available in Program: 1
Program Starting Date: first week of July
Typical Weekly Hours and After-Hours Responsibilities:

40 hours/week; M-Th 4days/10hours per day; afterhours responsibilities may include presentations and required affiliated institution didiactic training


Requirements for Completion:

A paper of publishable quality must be completed before the end of the residency/prior to receiving a residency certificate.


Program Salary/Stipend: $44,477 for 2024-25
Program Benefits and Liability Coverage: Health Coverage

Professional Liability Insurance

Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Other:
Completion Certificate: Yes
VA Hospital Affiliation: Yes

Key Contacts

Program Coordinator, Coordinator Title: Chung To, Attending Optometrsit
Telephone: (813)972-2000 Ext: 2474
Fax:
E-mail Address: Chung.To@va.gov
Program Co-Coordinator, Co-Coordinator Title:
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail Address:

Application Information

Application Materials and Procedures:

-Letter of intent



-Current Curriculum vitae



-Official transcripts from optometry school and any other post-graduate educational program



-At least three letters of reference, two of which must be from individuals who are familiar with the candidate's clinic skills



Materials to be sent to: Chung To, OD FAAO, Chung.To@va.gov

813 972 2000 ext 2474


Selection Procedure and Admission Criteria:

-Attainment of Doctor of Optometry degree prior to matriculation. The degree must have been obtained from an ACOE accredited School or College of Optometry or an Optometry School (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia as qualifying for full and unrestricted licensure .



-Passing scores from NBEO Part I, Part II, and TMOD scores. Passing Part III scores pending exam completion  -  **Note: PCO/Salus acknowledges that there may be delays in national board score results due to Covid-19. As such, please contact the residency program coordinator (Dr. Chung To) to determine application criteria/interview process**



-Obtain licensure in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia before completion of the first year of VA residency



-Complete an interview in person or by SKYPE/FACETIME



-US citizenship



After the residency committee reviews each candidate they will be scored based on their didactic and clinical expertise, interpersonal skills, integrity, adaptability, motivation, maturity, and patient skills.


United States citizenship is required to qualify for VHA appointment in a paid VA optometry resident position funded by the Office of Academic Affiliations. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/57, Part II, Chapter 3, Paragraph 3.g.(1) & (5)(c), dated June 14, 2012.
Program Application Deadline: February 1

Additional Comments

Travel to and from the affiliated institution for annual required didactic training is not included.