Skip to Content

VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (Honolulu, HI) – VA PACIFIC ISLANDS

Immunizations Required

  • HBV (Hepatitis B)
  • MMR
  • PPD/TB
  • Varicella
  • Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis) – Get either a Td or Tdap booster shot every 10 years after first dose)
  • Influenza by November 30th of each year
  • Student to keep originals of all documents and be ready to submit if requested. Turn in copies of verification of immunizations to Admissions and Student Affairs Office.
  • Covid-19 and booster
    • Must be vaccinated to attend the VA Pacific Islands rotation.
    • Complete VA Form 10-263 and submit along with a copy of your Covid-19 vaccine card at least two months prior to the start of your rotation.
    • If student is not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, they must file for an exemption (medical or religious) using the VA Form 10-263.
    • If student is not vaccinated or filed an exemption, they CANNOT come to the VA.
    • If student is NOT fully vaccinated (and filed an exemption), they may need to complete COVID-19 testing WEEKLY at the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System.

Immunizations Records Submit to and Date:

  • Please submit Covid-19 vaccine card or exemption forms to Dr. Jon Sakuda at jon.sakuda@va.gov at least two months prior to the start of your rotation.

Documentation Required

  • Full name with middle initial
  • Social Security Number
  • Date of Birth
  • Selective Service Card (register by Age 26)
  • CV and cover letter (introducing yourself)
  • For travel insurance coverage, please register all out-of-state travel at the UC Trips website to ensure coverage for each covered off-campus activity. You are covered from the time you start your travel to the rotation, through your rotation, and through your return trip.
  • International Students and Social Security Numbers:
    • Health professions trainees (HPTs) training at VA medical centers receive temporary Federal appointments and personal identity verification credentials. To be properly vetted and eligible to participate in training, non‑US citizen HPTs who are temporarily in the United States must have:
    • A nonimmigrant F-1 or J-1 student classification; or, an I-20 (or DS-2019) certificate of eligibility; AND
    • A US Social Security Number
    • Unfortunately the use of a “pseudo-SSN” is prohibited in certain Federal systems. Your facility may have found work arounds, however use of a pseudo-SSN, or other 9-digit number, will not be permitted after May 1, 2018. Therefore, we are notifying the field in advance of this change in the onboarding process for non-US citizen trainees.
    • https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10181.pdf

Documentation Submit to and Date

  • Contact Dr. Sakuda eight weeks prior to start date:  Dr. Sakuda at (808) 838-6505 or jon.sakuda@va.gov.

Equipment Needed

  • Please bring your clinic jacket, BIO and lenses (for non-contact, BIO, and gonioscopy), and any other personal equipment you feel you would require to conduct examinations.

Absence Policy

  • UCBSO Optometry Interns are allowed up to 2 personal or sick days during their rotation at VA PIHCS subject to approval by Dr. Sakuda or his designate.
    • COVID associated sick leave will follow VA PIHCS Employee/Occupational Health service guidelines.
  • UCBSO Optometry Interns are allowed up to 3 professional days during their rotation at VA PIHCS subject to approval by Dr. Sakuda or his designate.
    • Professional days include but are not limited to Residency interviews and travel, National Board (NBEO) exams and travel.
  • All personal and professional absence requests require a minimum of 14 calendar days advance notice.
  • Approved days beyond 3 days off may require completion of an assignment (journal article review, case report, presentation or similar) as determined by Dr. Sakuda or his designate.
  • No days off will be granted during the first and last week of your rotation at VA PIHCS.
  • This policy is subject to change as determined by needs and requirements of the VA PIHCS Optometry.