OPTOMETRY SERVICE

CONFERENCE CALL

MINUTES

December 16, 2016

3 p.m. Eastern Time

1 (800) 767-1750, Access Code: 16019

1.  Announcements:

a.  Open VA Optometry Staff Positions

  1. https://www.navao.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Copy-of-Open-Optometry-Positions-3.pdf
  2. http://www.va.gov/OPTOMETRY/open_VA_Optometrist_Positions.asp or http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/

b.  VA Core Values and Characteristics (I CARE) http://www.va.gov/ICARE/index.asp

c.  Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) http://www.diversity.va.gov/programs/pwd.aspx

d.  Office of Resolution Management (ORM) – http://vaww.va.gov/orm/ (three related links: EEO Complaint Processing http://vaww.va.gov/ORM/EEOcomplaint.asp ; Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) http://www.va.gov/adr/ + VA Directive 5978; and Resolution Support Center http://www.va.gov/orm/RSC.asp )

e.  Improve Your Customer Service Skills – TMS training coursework (https://www.tms.va.gov/learning/user/login.jsp)

f.  Phased Retirement Announcement

  1. Interested employees should review the attached Phased Retirement General Application and Approval Process Guide and speak to their manager/supervisor about the opportunity to participate in and apply for the VA Phased Retirement Program. Additional information about the phased retirement program, including the full VA policy, forms, tools, and mentoring guidance, can be found on the VA intranet site here: http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Benefits/Retirement/phased.asp.
  2. https://www.navao.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/PhasedRetirementGeneralApplicationandApprovalProcesses.pdf
  3. https://www.navao.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Phased-Retirement-Comparison.docx
  4. https://www.navao.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/PhasedRetirement-Employee-Final-6-28.pptx

g.  TSP limits

  1. TSP elections made through myPay during the period of December 11, 2016 through December 24, 2016 will be effective December 25, 2016 (pay period 26) to be paid on January 13, 2017. TSP elections made on form TSP-1 during the period of December 11 through December 24, 2016 will be effective December 25, 2016 (pay period 26). Employees should be encouraged to review their Earnings and Leave statements to ensure the accuracy of their TSP elections.

h.  Performance-based Awards

  1. For FYs 2017 through 2024,VA’s spending on all types of awards – including individual performance and special contribution awards, group awards, and 3Rs incentives – is subject not only to the government-wide OMB/OPM guidance, but also to VA-specific spending caps set by the Congress in the Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act of 2016 (CARA). For awards paid out in FY 2017, CARA caps VA’s total awards spending at $230 million, which is nearly 30 percent less than VA spent on individual and group awards and 3Rs incentives in Fiscal Year 2016. Review the attachment to see a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
  2. https://www.navao.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/FAQ-and-Award-Distribution-Chart-Award-Budgets-2017-12092016.pdf

i.  VHA Directive 1010, Transition and Care Management of Ill or Injured Service members and New Veterans

  1. This Veterans Health Administration (VHA) directive establishes procedures in the transition of care, coordination of services, and case management of ill or injured Servicemembers and new Veterans by VHA Transition and Care Management staff members.

ii.  https://www.navao.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/VHA-Directive-1010-Transition-and-Care-Mgmt-of-Ill-or-Injured-Svcmembers-and-New-Vets-11-21-16.pdf

j.  VHA Directive 1108.02, Inspection of Controlled Substances

  1. This Veterans Health Administration (VHA) directive provides procedures for implementing a Controlled Substance Inspection Program.
  2. https://www.navao.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/VHA-Directive-1108.02-Inspection-of-Controlled-Substances-11-28-16.pdf

k.  VHA Directive 1134, Provision of Medical Statements & Completion of Forms by VA Health Care Providers

  1. VHA health care providers, when requested and consistent with other VHA policies, to assist patients in completing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and non-VA medical forms and to provide patients with medical statements with respect to their medical condition(s) and functionality.
  2. https://www.navao.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/VHA-Directive-1134-Provision-of-Medical-Statements-and-Completion-of-Forms-by-VA-HCP-11-28-16.pdf

2.  Optometry Service Field Advisory Committee - Dr. Brough – unavailable for comment.

3.  Optometric Education Programs – Dr. Slagle

a.  Dr. Slagle comment. If you have any students, please promote the VA residency program to them and please help promote the fellowship opportunities to your current residents.

4.  COPE Approved EES Coursework – Dr. Hetrick - unavailable for comment.

5.  Electronic Medical Records/Information Technology Issues - Dr. Ballinger – unavailable for comment.

6.  Infection Control/Reusable Medical Equipment Reprocessing - Drs. Horn/Trout/White - unavailable for comment.

a.  One Source Document Site: http://onesourcedocs.com/member/index.html

7.  Teleretinal Imaging Screening Program – Drs. Morris/Selvin – unavailable for comment.

8.  DoD/VA Vision Center of Excellence & Eye Injury Registry - Dr. Barker – unavailable for comment.

9.  TBI Vision Rehabilitation - Drs. Mandese/Peterson – unavailable for comment.

10.  Low Vision Rehabilitation - Drs. Chan-O’Connell/Brahm – unavailable for comment.

11.  Optometry Quality Improvement - Drs. Brough/Horn – unavailable for comment.

12.  Direct Scheduling/Access/VA Systems Redesign - Drs. Cantrell/Varanelli

a.  Dr. Cantrell comment. Their next conference call will be December 28th, but there are no other new updates to report at this time.

13.  VA Optometric Research & Development – Drs. Fuhr/Mancil/Sullivan-Mee – unavailable for comment.

a.  VA HSR&D Centers of Innovation (COINs) and Resource Centers: http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/centers/

14.  VHA Optometry Service Websites – Dr. G. Singh – nothing new to report.

15.  VA Optometry Service Directory - Drs. Egusa/Lim/Dalton – unavailable for comment.

16.  VA Residency Trained Optometrist Directory – Drs. Wang/Swift – unavailable for comment.

17.  AFOS Report - Dr. Engelke

a.  Dr. Engelke comment. The federal service meeting for AFOS will be held on Monday , February 27-28 and will offer 10 hours of CE.

  1. They will be bundling the registration with SECO and there is opportunity to potentially earn over 40 hours of CE.
  2. Early bird registration will end on January 3rd and the headquarters hotel will be the Ritz Carlton again so please register before the hotel rooms fill up.

18.  NAVAO Report - Drs. Wong/Gustafson

a.  Dr. Gustafson comment. The NAVAO annual membership drive will begin shortly. Please log onto the new NAVAO website to renew your membership.

b.  Please advise fellow VA Optometrists and residents to consider membership