Physician-Ophthalmology Section Chief

Full Job Description

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 (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. 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: 5 years Ophthalmology Experience, Veteran Experience Preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 lbs, Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Standing (1 hour), Repeated bending (1 hour), Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable at 13' to 16' to Jaeger to 1-4, Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors Environmental Factors: Outside and inside, Excessive heat, Excessive cold, Excessive humidity, Excessive dampness, Dry atmospheric conditions, Dust, Fumes, smoke or gas, Working closely with others Major Duties:

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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 This position is stationed at a community-based outpatient clinic.

The Clinic Director reports to CBOC Executive.

The position duties include, but are not limited to: performing initial histories and physical examinations; performing periodic physical examinations; screening outpatients to determine the need for further healthcare; ordering diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests, x-rays, electrocardiograms; carrying out health promotion and disease prevention activities; initiating and expediting requests for consultations and scheduling special tests and studies; provides education and counseling of patients and families in preventative care, medical conditions, and use of prescribed treatments and drugs; and other duties as assigned.

The incumbent will be expected to be proficient in other components of patient management such as charting, progress notes, signatures, preparation of consults, referrals, and telephone consults with specialists at the Medical Center that are an integral part of the clinical team.

The incumbent will integrate both mandated health screening and guidelines for treatment into the practice.

The incumbent will have basic proficiency with a computer and willingness to learn VA's Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS).

The clinical and administrative time is adjusted accordingly per each clinic.

Additional duties include, but are not limited to: Provides clinical practice leadership in the implementation of MEDVAMC policies and procedures at the CBOC and applies PACT principles to attain PACT performance measure goals to provide timely access and quality care to Veterans in a patient-centered fashion and to attain high patient satisfaction ratings.

Responsible and accountable for planning, organizing, and coordinating all clinical programs and interdisciplinary programs for the CBOC through teamwork.

Keeps MEDVAMC management apprised of all issues.

Provides leadership for CBOC programs in an effective manner and demonstrates a high level of initiative and independence in carrying out the administrative and patient care functions in accordance with the MEDVAMC, Veterans Health Administration policies, and procedures.

Initiates and delivers timely reports to ensure superiors are informed about CBOC operations.

Knowledgeable of the interdisciplinary Performance Improvement Program for MEDVAMC and systematically monitors the quality and appropriateness of care in all programs.

Coordinates delivery of patient care; maximizes budgetary efficiency to meet performance goals; develops programs and strategic planning; implements clinical guidelines and practice patterns; monitors strategic initiatives; and measures parameters critical to the success of care services.

Work Schedule: 8:00 am-4:30 pm