Summary

The Chief Ophthalmologist is a management-level ophthalmologist who oversees the day-to-day operations of the eye care section - which includes Optometry - Ophthalmology - and the staff in the Eye Clinic. The Chief Ophthalmologist serves as a leader for the section and functions administratively as the supervisor for the Eye Clinic employees. This includes Optometrists - Ophthalmologists - Eye Technicians - Nurses - and Program Support Assistants (PSA)/ Medical Support Assistants (MSA).

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 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
• 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 residency training - approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty 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
• 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
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Additional Requirement: Board Certification or Board Eligibility in Ophthalmology Preferred skills: Strong anterior segment surgical skills Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must be able to perform CPR per ACLS/BLS protocols.

Duties

• **This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until March 17th - 2025
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be January 28th - 2025 - with subsequent cut-off dates every 2 weeks
• Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.** VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 A.M
• - 4:30 P.M. - with an occasional Saturday clinic or a weekday extended hour clinic
• however - subject to change - depending on the needs of the service/medical center
• Saturday clinics are compensated with an \"In Lieu Day\" which can be used in the future for annual leave (vacation)
• 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 Chief Ophthalmologist The Chief Ophthalmologist is a management-level ophthalmologist who oversees the day-to-day operations of the eye care section - which includes Optometry - Ophthalmology - and the staff in the Eye Clinic
• The Chief Ophthalmologist serves as a leader for the section and functions administratively as the supervisor for the Eye Clinic employees
• This includes Optometrists - Ophthalmologists - Eye Technicians - Nurses - and Program Support Assistants (PSA)/ Medical Support Assistants (MSA)
• The Chief Ophthalmologist is a direct report to the Chief of Surgical Service and is responsible for helping the section meet all performance measures and goals for patient care set forth by the VA
• Clinical Duties: Ophthalmologists manage eye conditions including cataract - glaucoma - age-related macular degeneration - and diabetic retinopathy
• They are medically trained and qualified to diagnose and treat all eye and visual system problems
• These treatments include - but are not limited to: cataract surgery - diabetic retinopathy laser therapy - glaucoma treatment - and macular degeneration injections
• The physician is expected to document into an electronic medical record (CPRS) in a timely manner - participate in Process Improvement/Quality Assurance projects and participate in bi-annual Medical Staff activity including committee participation
• Administrative Duties: You will document all medical information in an electronic medical record (CPRS) in a timely manner - participate in Process Improvement/Quality Assurance projects and participate in bi-annual Medical Staff activity including committee participation
• Chief Ophthalmologist administrative duties include the general oversight of the operations of the Ophthalmology Clinic including but not limited to provide providing efficient patient management - supervision of Ophthalmology residents and other administrative activity typical for Supervisory Management roles (see below)
• Physician is expected to maintain their clinic in Joint Commission readiness
• Education: Instructing and educating Ophthalmology residents and training new Eye Staff - both for orientation to VA Eye Clinic and new skills if needed
• Ensure continuing education for all personnel having Ophthalmology and Optometry privileges and ensures all mandatory VA training is completed timely
• Age Specific Criteria: Possesses knowledge of age-related changes in disease - pharmacology and in the general care and management of elderly patients and applies this knowledge in assigned patient care and education responsibilities.