The Ophthalmologist works full time in the West Palm Beach VA Surgical Services, performing general ophthalmology surgical procedures and clinical care on patients and has clinical duties that include: admissions, consultations, preoperative work ups, as well as postoperative care to correct or treat various ophthalmology conditions, illnesses and injuries. Also responsible for surgical and medical management of retina patients including doing retinal injections and lasers in the clinic. 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. Additional Requirement: Surgical and Medical retina experience is required with graduation from an accredited ophthalmology residency program and retina fellowship program. Board Certification required. Preferred Experience: 5 years or more clinical experience preferred. 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: light to moderate lifting (15 - 44 lbs.); light carrying (15 lbs. and under); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 2 hours); standing (up to 2 hours); kneeling (up to 1 hour); ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); emotional stability; mental stability; working closely with others; and working alone. ["Announcement closing date has been extended through 03/31/2023. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. 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 ideal candidate will have a strong scope of surgical retina experience, including complex Retinal Detachment (RD), Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy (PVR), and diabetic retinopathy treatment. Has training and familiarity with diagnosis and state-of-the-art management of patients with disorders of the retina. The Physician (Ophthalmologist) duties consist of, but are not limited to, the following: Performs ophthalmologic surgical procedures on patients including related admission, consultation, and work-up, preoperative and postoperative care to correct or treat various conditions, illnesses and injuries. Makes preliminary diagnosis; directs, prescribes or provides treatment, arranges for specialized care or patient referral as required. Surgical and medical retina and comprehensive ophthalmology scope of practice. Does injections, laser and retina surgical procedures of a wide scope. Cataract surgery experience preferred. Actively participates in Emergency and On-Call schedule. Provides comprehensive ophthalmology care including prevention, health maintenance, early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up services to patients. Management of patients during their inpatient course, using consultants when appropriate and performs inpatient consultations on patients from other services. Conducts outpatient clinics; reviews patients' medications, course of therapy, adherence to management plan and patient observations; modifies management plan as indicated; and instructs and counsels patients as required. Serves as a consultant to primary care physicians and accepts referrals and outpatient consultations from other providers. Functions in a teaching capacity by educating others (patients, staff, trainees, and/or seminar participants, etc.) in the assessment, treatment, management and evaluation of ophthalmology disorders. Helps with training of residents and medical students, including surgical training and procedures. Refers patients as appropriate; works closely with allied health professionals; and participates in the Surgical Department Quality Assurance and Peer Review programs. Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Daily schedule will be determined based on staffing needs."]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.