Physician - Supervisory Ophthalmologist w/Recruitment-Relocation Incentive may be authorized/EDRP

Veterans Health Administration • Amarillo, TX

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About The Position

The Amarillo VA Health Care System is recruiting a full-time physician specializing in medical and surgical eye care for enrolled Veteran patients. The role combines comprehensive ophthalmology practice with clinical and administrative leadership of the Ophthalmology and Optometry section and other relevant specialties within Surgical Service. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate, and the position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program conditions.

Clinical work includes obtaining histories and conducting routine and complex eye examinations; diagnosing conditions; formulating, implementing, and following up on care plans; and providing and coordinating care in any care setting. Care may include refractive correction, topical medications, laser treatment, and surgical management of eye conditions. The physician orders diagnostic studies, laboratory specimens, ancillary services, specialty consultations, patient-care supplies, and medications; may request non-VA care in accordance with policy; carries out health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education; and obtains and documents informed consent.

The supervisory responsibilities include overseeing clinical, technical, and ancillary staff; supporting staff selection, orientation, and continuing education with other physician leaders; ensuring clinicians practice within granted privileges; and providing leadership and accountability for the section. The physician monitors compliance with agency regulations, medical staff bylaws, facility policies, Joint Commission standards, and other requirements; uses provider and resource data to develop short- and long-range plans; establishes policies, procedures, standards, goals, and objectives; leads performance improvement and patient-safety work; ensures timely and appropriate patient care; implements ongoing quality assurance and improvement measures; and represents the service on assigned committees and meetings affecting patient care.

The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including paid time off, federal retirement and insurance programs, and other benefits described in the announcement. The position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or 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 board-certification eligibility, or qualifying alternative training and independent-practice experience described in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Selected applicants must undergo a background/security investigation and complete the online onboarding process.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Registration with Selective Service is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Applicants may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements specified in the announcement’s Required Documents section.

Nice To Haves

• Board Certified or Board Eligible in Ophthalmology.
• Experience examining and treating patients as a comprehensive ophthalmologist in clinical and surgical practice.
• Experience determining the need for surgical or non-surgical treatment.
• Experience performing intravitreal injections for retinal diseases.
• Experience performing minor or major surgical procedures related to injuries and disease.
• Experience performing laser procedures for retinal diseases and anterior-segment procedures such as PI and YAG.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical and surgical eye care to enrolled Veteran patients.
• Obtain medical histories and perform routine and complex eye examinations.
• Establish diagnoses; formulate, implement, and follow up on patient care plans; and coordinate care in any care setting.
• Provide refractive correction and medical treatment, including topical medications, laser procedures, and surgical management of eye conditions.
• Order diagnostic studies, special tests, laboratory specimens, ancillary services, specialty consultations, patient-care supplies, and medications; initiate requests for non-VA care in accordance with applicable policies.
• Carry out health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education activities.
• Obtain and document informed consent for treatment and procedures.
• Oversee Ophthalmology and Optometry and other relevant specialties within Surgical Service, including clinical, technical, and ancillary staff.
• Oversee professional and administrative activities, including staff selection, orientation, and continuing education in collaboration with physician leaders.
• Ensure individuals with clinical privileges competently provide services within the scope of their privileges.
• Provide leadership and accountability for the section in support of the health care system’s mission and values.
• Monitor compliance with agency regulations, medical staff bylaws, facility policies, Joint Commission standards, and other regulations.
• Use provider and resource data to develop short- and long-range plans and goals and address deficiencies.
• Formulate and implement policies, procedures, standards, goals, and objectives for Surgical Service.
• Lead performance improvement and patient-safety projects and formulate supporting policies and procedures.
• Assure timely and appropriate medical care for VA patients within the section.
• Implement ongoing quality assurance and improvement measures.
• Represent the service on assigned committees and meetings that influence patient care.

Benefits

• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate.
• Eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program conditions; former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for the incentive.
• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and a possible 5-day paid CME absence.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• 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 full-time, board-certified physicians.
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.

What This Job Offers

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