The Optometry Program workgroup has been developing national standards of practice (NSP) to uphold safe, high-quality care for the Nation’s Veterans and ensure VA Optometrists can meet the needs of Veterans when practicing within the scope of their VA employment. There are national standards of practice for 51 health care occupations, which will allow VA to deliver health care efficiently and seamlessly across the VA system irrespective of State requirements or restrictions.
Prior to the proposed national standard for Optometrists being posted for public comment on the Federal Register, we wanted to take the opportunity to provide you with additional information to prepare you for the process ahead. Over the next few weeks, we will be sending informational messages with resources you may find helpful as we navigate this process. As we get closer to the period for public comment on the Federal Register, we will be sending guidance on how to provide feedback on the Optometry NSP.
As a great first step, if you have not already done so, please consider subscribing to the NSP newsletter. The newsletter will provide you with updates on the national standards of practice initiative at VA and alert you when standards for specific health occupations are available for public comment via the Federal Register.
We encourage you to visit the NSP SharePoint site which contains various links including a FAQ page, link to subscribe to the NSP newsletter, link to participate in reviews of published NSPs, and many other valuable resources. Please consider visiting this site to become familiar with the NSP initiative.
- NSP SharePoint National Standards of Practice (NSP) (sharepoint.com)
- Signup for the NSP newsletter Veterans Health Administration – National Standards of Practice (govdelivery.com)
- VA NSP Occupations, attachment: NSP_Occupations_ExternalAudience_Jan23
- VA NSP Development Process, attachment: NSP_Review_Process_External_Facing_508_January2023