Physician - Ophthalmologist

Veterans Health Administration • Stockton, CA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Northern California VA Eye Section is seeking a full-time ophthalmologist for its Stockton VA Eye Clinic. Candidates may be medical or surgical comprehensive ophthalmologists, surgical glaucoma specialists, or medical retina specialists. A comprehensive ophthalmologist manages conditions including cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Treatments may include cataract surgery, diabetic retinopathy laser therapy, topical or laser glaucoma treatment, MIGS implants, and macular degeneration injections.

The Stockton VA Eye Clinic is a new site with state-of-the-art equipment and a staffed team of four eye technicians, two optometrists, two part-time ophthalmologists, one eye registered nurse, and one eye licensed vocational nurse. The clinic serves a patient population with a high volume of pathology that has historically been underserved. The site also has an optical shop, pharmacy, and primary care. It has no urgent care or emergency department, but the Eye Clinic accepts urgent eye patients. Stockton is the third-largest of six eye clinics in the NorCal VA Health Care System. Eye surgery is performed at a local private surgery center in Tracy, California.

The position includes direct patient care, clinic and administrative responsibilities, and education of ophthalmology residents. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with occasional Saturday clinics or extended weekday hours depending on service or medical-center needs. The announcement is open continuously until December 21, 2026, with an initial application referral cutoff of October 26 and subsequent cutoffs every five business days.

The position offers competitive salary, annual performance bonuses, regular salary increases, a recruitment or relocation incentive, and potential student-loan repayment through EDRP of up to $200,000 ($40,000 per year for up to five years), subject to eligibility and application requirements. Other listed benefits include paid leave and holidays, federal retirement and 401(k), federal insurance programs, possible CME reimbursement, and malpractice liability protection with tail coverage. There is no physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved or accredited institution.
• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Completion of qualifying residency training in an accredited core specialty program leading to eligibility for board certification, or an allowed alternative training and independent-practice pathway described in the announcement.
• Board-certified or board-eligible in Ophthalmology.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Complete required pre-placement TB testing, immunization evaluations, physical examination, background and security investigation, and onboarding requirements.
• Comply with drug testing requirements, including pre-appointment testing and random testing after appointment.
• Meet the physical standards for the position, including lifting 15–44 pounds, pushing, reaching above shoulder level, using fingers and both hands, walking and standing, kneeling, rapid simultaneous mental and muscular coordination, depth perception, and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care, including histories and physicals, medication management, evaluation of diagnostic tests, treatment planning, surgery, and completion of applicable clinical reminders.
• Manage ophthalmic conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, using appropriate treatments and procedures.
• Document medical information in the electronic medical record.
• Oversee the operations of the Ophthalmology Clinic, including efficient patient management.
• Supervise and instruct ophthalmology residents.
• Participate in process-improvement and quality-assurance projects.
• Participate in biannual Medical Staff activities, including committee participation.
• Perform medication reconciliation.
• Maintain Joint Commission readiness.

Benefits

• Student loan repayment through EDRP of up to $200,000 at $40,000 per year for up to five years, subject to eligibility and timely application.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive (sign-on bonus) authorized.
• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, federal holidays, and possible paid CME absence.
• Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k), with VA contributions up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 per year CME reimbursement for eligible full-time, board-certified physicians.
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
• No significant restriction on moonlighting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree