Ophthalmologist - retina specialist is an ophthalmologist with additional training in diseases of the vitreous body and the retina. They must maintain an active knowledge of the patient care process of the department of veterans Affairs, the medical center and its clinics, an essential element is active knowledge of the medical center records system (CPRS). This shall include using the computerized medical records in a complete and timely manner. 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), b) 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. Preferred Experience: Our service would prefer that a candidate be board certified in Ophthalmology or board eligible. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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. The incumbent must be physically, emotionally and mentally stable in order to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others. ["This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): EDRP Authorized: Contact the VISN 8 Compensation Center of Excellence at VISN8CCOE@va.gov if you have any questions or concerns. Learn more. 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 may included but not limited to the following; The physicians shall have knowledge of and abide by Medical Center Bylaws, VHA Rules and Regulations and have a familiarization with existing VA specific clinical guidelines. The physician is expected to maintain his/her skills at the highest level in all the areas of work which include outpatient clinics, inpatient wards, as a consultant, in procedurals areas, as well as the operating room. The physician is responsible for assuring adequate preoperative work-up, intraoperative decision making and postoperative follow-up on your patients. The physician always conducts him/herself in a professional and courteous manner. The physician should exercise sensitivity when dealing with patients and their families. In addition, the physician will be required to help patients with any problems identified that are out of the physician's area of expertise. This would include using consultants, support services, etc. Assures physician to physician communication to ensure smooth receipt or transfer of patients. The physician is also required to solve patient complaints at the local level, and if warranted be referred to a supervisor. This position is for Medical or Surgical Retina trained ophthalmologist who is board certified in Ophthalmology, equivalent certification, or board eligible with expectation of certification. Retina Subspecialty training is preferred. Experience with anterior segment/cataract surgery preferred. We have an active affiliation with Larkin Community Medical Center with resident training. To meet the qualifications of this position, applicants should have experience in resident teaching and be currently practicing clinical and surgical ophthalmology. The physician must promptly respond to calls when contacted. When on-call, the physician is readily available by pager/phone, and reports to the Medical Center to provide necessary evaluation and treatment, as medically necessary. The physician is expected to attend mandatory meetings and any other meeting or focus group assigned to. In addition to maintaining the highest quality of care, the physician is also expected to support education, and research activities, as well as, emergency preparedness goals of the Medical Center. The physician fulfills the requirements for employment and credentials as determined by the VA Healthcare System. This shall include mandatory and continuing education requirements and maintaining active licensure from a state (s) in the U.S. The physician must demonstrate continuing effort to keep abreast of new medical developments and medical literature. The responsibility to complete timely medical license renewal, credentials and board certification remains with the physician. 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)."]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
