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ODs exempted from federal hiring freeze
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Certain positions, including optometrists, are exempt from the federal hiring freeze enacted under the Trump Administration, according to Robert D. Snyder, acting secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“In regards to veteran health care, the positions identified ... are located in various Veterans Health Administration Medical Centers, outpatient clinics, community-based outpatient clinics and health centers and provide direct patient care, without which the safety and welfare of veterans would be at stake,” Snyder said in a memo.
“By exempting doctors of optometry and residents from the hiring freeze, the VA took a vital step to ensure that all of the men and women who serve our great nation have access to quality eye and vision health care,” Andrea P. Thau, OD, president of the American Optometric Association, told Primary Care Optometry News. “The American Optometric Association applauds the VA’s action and looks forward to working with them to continue to implement safe and proven initiatives that help expand veteran access to in-person care.”
Other essential occupations included in the hiring freeze exemption include: nurse, nurse anesthetist, podiatrist, dental officer, social service/licensed professional mental health counselor, psychology, social work, blind rehabilitation, registered respiratory specialist, dietitian and physical therapist.
In addition, the VA is in the process of activating leases and construction projects in Monterey, Calif.; Palo Alto, Calif.; Riverside, Calif.; San Jose, Calif.; West Los Angeles, Calif.; Denver; West Haven, Conn.; Pensacola, Fla.; South Hillsboro, Fla.; Tallahassee, Fla.; Tampa/Bay Pines, Fla.; South Bend, Ind.; Johnson City, Kan.; Lafayette, La.; Lake Charles, La.; New Orleans; Worcester, Mass.; Binghamton, N.Y.; Manhattan, N.Y.; Rochester N.Y.; Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Springfield, Mo.; Portland, Ore., and Bayamon, P.R.
“To ensure veterans are able to continue accessing state-of-the-art facilities and the quality care they deserve, I am granting exemptions to ensure the minimum staffing required to become operational and to ensure that the safety and health standards required by law are met,” Snyder continued.
Snyder also exempted positions for the National Cemetery Administration that are directly involved in the burial of veterans and their eligible family members.
Source: https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/factsheets/Signed-Exemption-to-Hiring-Freeze-Memo-with-Exempted-Occupations-1-27-2017.pdf