Job Board

The West Texas VA Health Care System is seeking an Ophthalmologist to support and shared responsibility for operations of the facility Ophthalmology program. The Ophthalmologist shall be proficient in all aspects of Ophthalmology including the ability to perform selected specialty services. This vacancy will remain open until filled. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate. 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. 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 and 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 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: Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR 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. English Language Proficiency. Physicians appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7402(d) and 7407(d). Physical Requirements: See outlined below. Preferred Experience: Experience in clinical ophthalmology, lasers, injections, minor procedures. Excellent diagnostician Good computer skills Completed Ophthalmology residency 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: Use of fingers; Both hands required; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted).See VA Handbook and Directive 5019. ["The Ophthalmologist duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Ensure appropriate processes are used for credentialing and granting privileges to Ophthalmology professionals. Review and recommend appropriate sharing agreements, service agreements and inter-facility agreements. Serve as local liaison to Ophthalmology professional organizations, government agencies, Non-VA service providers, and other departments within the facility. Ensure appropriate documentation and accurate coding of completed Ophthalmology procedures based on the VHA Ophthalmology Coding Standards and Requirements which are found on the Ophthalmology Reporting and Analytics website. Ensure the appropriate scope of care is provided for Ophthalmology patients. Work with local leadership to develop and publish Ophthalmology policy and procedures that conform to the dictates of the National Criteria and Standards for Ophthalmology Program, Make determinations on the clinical aspects of Ophthalmology eligibility. Responsible for administration of the Outpatient Fee Ophthalmology program including review of treatment plans for approval/disapproval, and adjustment of submitted fees consistent with the Schedule of Maximum Allowances for Fee Ophthalmology Services. The Schedule of Maximum Allowances must be reviewed at least annually. The Ophthalmologist should possess the expertise and competency to perform the following: Perform routine and complex examinations on the eyes. Diagnose optical concerns with patients appropriately. Perform simple and complex ophthalmic surgeries. Administer medications and/or sedate properly with optical surgeries. Perform laser, biopsies, and other routine surgical procedures. Perform any prosthetic Ophthalmology procedures or enter consults appropriately. Perform compensation and pension (C&P) exams when needed. Patient care is performed in the Ophthalmology Clinic at the Big Spring campus of WTVAHCS. Perform assigned administrative duties required for operation of West Texas VA Health Care System (WTV AHCS) Ophthalmology Service. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized\nPay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases\nPaid 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)\nRetirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA\nInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)\nLicensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory\nCME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)\nMalpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided\nContract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting"]