Summary

The James A. Haley VA Medical Center - Surgical Care Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Physician (Ophthalmology). Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards - as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States
• Education: Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in medicine or osteopathic medicine
• The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Licensure & Registration: Current - full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a state - territory - or Commonwealth of the United States - or in the District of Columbia
• Residency Training: Physicians must have completed a residency training - approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty Ophthalmology Residency Training Program leading to eligibility for board certification
• (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status)
• Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
• OR (2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
• OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States) - which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences
• NOTE: Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs)
• PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e. - not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee-basis
• PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged
• rather - they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision
• Additionally - surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs
• Board Certification: Board Certification in Ophthalmology is required
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019
• This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health
• This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs. - carrying objects up to 15 lbs. - frequent reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - hands and legs - use of cranes and motor vehicles - walking & standing up to 8 hours - bending and climbing and able to hear whisper
• This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• Potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• Must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment
• Must be physically - emotionally and mentally competent and able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position - with or without reasonable accommodation - without hazard to yourself or others.

Duties

• This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program
• You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment
• Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application
• Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact the VISN 8 Compensation Center of Excellence at VISN8CCOE@va.gov for questions/assistance
• Pay: Competitive salary - annual performance bonus - regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory CME: Possible $1 -000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Duties include - but are not limited to: Attending required staff meetings - communicating up and down the chain of command and helping prepare heads-up and issue briefs related to adverse patient outcomes at the direction of the Section Chief Clinical Management including indirect patient care: open encounter and open consult maintenance - CPRS documentation requirements - monitoring of clinic management
• Maintains involvement in matters concerning clinic productivity - relevant performance measures - Quality and Patient Safety oversight - as well as process improvements (system redesigns)
• Conducts clinics several times per week Performs and supervises retinal laser procedures in the laser room Provide non-operative Ophthalmology hospital rounds for ophthalmology patients when needed Document services through appropriate notes - such as History and Physical - Progress notes - Procedure notes and Discharge Summaries Participates in morbidity and mortality reviews and conferences Educates residents - fellows and medical students in the principles and therapy of complex and basic medical retina and uveitis services
• Performs administrative duties involved in the proper functioning of the Ophthalmology Section - Surgery Service Line Practitioners are expected to show effectiveness in teaching - monitoring and coordinating educational activities - and complying with necessary trainee supervision requirements
• Performs ophthalmologic procedures on patients including related admission - consultation - and ophthalmic care to correct or treat various conditions - illnesses and injuries Makes preliminary diagnosis
• directs - prescribes or provides treatment - arranges for specialized care or patient referral as required
• Training and familiarity with diagnosis and state-of-the-art management of patients with disorders of the retina
• Medical retina and comprehensive ophthalmology scope of practice
• Actively participates in Emergency and On-Call schedule
• Provides comprehensive ophthalmology care including prevention - health maintenance - early diagnosis - treatment and follow-up services to patients
• Management of patients during their inpatient course - using consultants when appropriate and performs inpatient consultations on patients from other services Conducts outpatient clinics
• reviews patients' medications - diet - course of therapy - adherence to management plan and patient observations
• modifies management plan as indicated
• and instructs and counsels patients as required
• Serves as a consultant to primary care physicians and accepts referrals and outpatient consultations from other providers
• Functions in a teaching capacity by educating others (patients - staff - trainees - and/or seminar participants - etc.) in the assessment - treatment - management and evaluation of ophthalmologic disorders
• Refers patients as appropriate
• works closely with allied health professionals
• and participates in the Surgical Department Quality Assurance and Peer Review programs
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor
• The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs).