Summary

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.

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 allopathic 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 accrediting bodies for graduate medical education - the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - in the list published for the year the residency - or fellowship if applicable - was completed
• OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship - first year of residency - or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States
• OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - 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
• Exceptions: 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 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
• In rare and unusual circumstances - the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer - who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience - accomplishments - performance - and qualifications warrant such action
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: 5 years Ophthalmology Experience - Veteran Experience Preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• This is an Open Continuous Announcement and may be extended beyond the current closing date until the position are filled
• Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis during the duration of the announcement
• Once a selection is made and offer is accepted the announcement may close pending no additional vacancies
• Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP) - which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements - loan repayments - sign-on bonus contracts - Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years)
• For additional information and eligibility requirements - contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at vacontractbuyoutprog@va.gov
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact raja.kadeem@va.gov - - the EDRP Coordinator 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 The Ophthalmology Section Chief provides clinical leadership - oversight - and direction for all ophthalmology and optometry services within the facility
• This role ensures high-quality patient care - compliance with medical standards - effective team performance - and efficient operation of the ophthalmology service line
• The Ophthalmology Section Chief serves as both a practicing ophthalmologist and the primary supervisor for ophthalmology staff and optometry staff
• The Ophthalmologist Chief is assigned to the Specialty Care dept in the Eye Section at AVAHCS and he/she is a key member of the Specialty Care team the incumbent has administrative skills and responsibilities for the Alexandria VA Health Care Systems and Southern Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC)
• i.e
• Lafayette CBOC - Jennings CBOC and Lake Charles CBOC
• The Ophthalmologist Section Chief will report directly to the Specialty Care Chief
• The incumbent must possess a broad spectrum of clinical and administrative knowledge - specifically with regard to Veteran Care and Staff customer satisfaction - quality of services provided - and efficiency of service delivery
• The incumbent is responsible for providing services and technical counsel necessary to meet clinical - procedural - legal and administrative requirements relating to the care and treatment of outpatients to achieve maximum utilization of patient care resources in a cost-effective - efficient - and timely manner
• A comprehensive skill set of clinical and administrative expertise is required to integrate Ophthalmology functions among the Medical Center - and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) - and coordinate Veteran care with entities
• The incumbent is expected to follow rules - directives - policies and regulations governing a widespread range of administrative aspects
• Additional duties include - but are not limited to: Provides comprehensive ophthalmologic evaluation - diagnosis - and treatment for patients across all appropriate subspecialties of ophthalmology
• Performs outpatient and inpatient consultations - surgical procedures - postoperative care - and follow-up management
• Ensures evidence-based clinical practice and maintains high standards of patient safety and quality of care
• Collaborates with other specialties to provide integrated patient management
• Participates in call coverage - surgical rotations - and urgent ophthalmologic evaluations
• Serves as coordinator between the other attending physicians/ team members
• Establish and maintain relations with other key services to include: Surgery and Medicine Services - Primary Care - Prosthetics - Nursing - Social Work - and Radiology
• Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm - Monday - Friday