STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Optometrist (35 Hour)

Recruitment #261027-8275RX-001

Introduction


Do you have a passion for supporting others? Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic health care environment in the public sector?

The Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) is looking to hire an Optometrist for facilities in northern Connecticut.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
  • Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page to learn about our medical and dental insurance plans, sick/vacation/personal leave accruals, state holidays, tuition reimbursement and more!
  • This is a Hazardous Duty Position and offers a pension plan, the State Employees Retirement System Tier IV. As a Hazardous Duty employee, you will be eligible to retire after just 25 years of service, regardless of your age.
  • A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests, to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here. 

POSITION DETAILS
This is a full-time, 35 hour per week position on first shift. Schedule is Monday-Friday between 7:00am and 2:00pm.

This position covers the populations for the following facilities:
  • Osborn Correctional Institution, Somers CT
  • MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution, Suffield CT
  • Willard-Cybulski Correctional Institution, Somers CT
  • Carl Robinson Correctional Institution, Enfield CT
YOUR ROLE
This position will allow a dedicated, experienced, and creative candidate to provide significant impact to the underserved population that make up many of the vulnerable patients within our system.

As an Optometrist for the State of Connecticut, you can expect to:
  • Fulfill public service by providing clinical care to vulnerable patient population.
  • Avoid hassles with insurance companies and billing requirements.
  • Work is a safe and collaborative environment with nursing and administrative support.
  • Perform charting with a modern electronic health record.
  • Have malpractice insurance covered by the State of Connecticut.
OUR MISSION
The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction shall strive to be a global leader in progressive correctional practices and partnered re-entry initiatives to support responsive evidence-based practices aligned to law-abiding and accountable behaviors. Safe and security shall be a priority component of this responsibility as it pertains to staff, victims, citizens and offenders.


For an inside look at how healthcare professionals make a difference in a correctional setting, watch the video below!

 

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?  Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY: 

  • Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
  • Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting. 
  • Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
  • Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
  • Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov. 
  • Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
  • Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY: 

  • Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
  • For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
  • Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
  • Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
  • Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  
  • Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
  • This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: 

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jake Ferrari at jake.ferrari@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Correction, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Department of Aging and Disability Services this class is accountable for providing professional optometry services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Examines eyes to determine visual acuity and perception, focus and visual skill problems and to diagnose diseases and other abnormalities such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and color blindness;
  • Evaluates infectious, inflammatory and traumatic conditions and prescribes appropriate treatment including topical medicine;
  • Analyzes test results to establish a diagnosis and determine appropriate treatment;
  • Uses noninvasive procedures to remove foreign bodies from the eye;
  • Prescribes, adjusts and fits eyeglasses, contact lenses and other vision aids;
  • Educates on preventative measures such as contact lens care, therapeutic procedures to correct or conserve vision and visual hygiene;
  • Consults with and refers individuals to an ophthalmologist if additional treatment is needed;
  • Prepares health record documentation and reports on health services;
  • Acts as a liaison between agency and community health providers;
  • May participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary evaluation team;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • methods and principles of optometry including visual functions, defects of vision or other conditions or diseases of the visual system;
    • current practices of assessment and treatment of visual acuities;
  • Knowledge of recent developments in the field of optometry including treatment models and best practices;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Diagnostic, assessment and evaluation skills;
  • Ability to analyze and interpret laboratory and other medical reports and findings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain a license to practice optometry pursuant to Sec. 20-130 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain eligibility for participation in federal health care programs as defined in 42 U.S. 1320a-7b(f).
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain relevant registration(s) and/or certification(s). 

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain clients and may be exposed to disagreeable conditions, communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive clients.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.


Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet.