Executive Director Ophthalmology

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 145,000 - 295,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Health Administration seeks an Executive Director - Ophthalmology to provide national leadership for eye care programs, policies, and initiatives across VHA.

Join us in advancing high-quality, accessible, and innovative eye care for Veterans nationwide. You will shape strategic goals, oversee clinical and administrative systems, and drive collaboration with the Vision Center of Excellence and VA medical centers to ensure consistent delivery of

Qualifications

• U.S. citizen with MD degree from an LCME AO approved medical school.
• Residency in an accredited core specialty; board eligibility/ certification.
• Current full and unrestricted medical license in the United States or DC.
• Extensive national or regional healthcare leadership experience.
• Ability to meet five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and technical qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Not a virtual position; serves as senior advisor to health leadership on ophthalmology.
• Lead and coordinate programs, policies, and initiatives across VHA.
• Collaborate with national offices, network directors, and clinical centers.
• Develop short- and long-term goals aligned with VA missions and ophthalmology goals.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Policy development

Healthcare administration

Education

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Job description

Summary

Are you ready to shape the future of Ophthalmology care for our Nation's Veterans? The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as the Executive Director - Ophthalmology - providing national leadership for programs - policies - and initiatives across VHA. Join us in advancing high-quality - accessible - and innovative eye care for Veterans nationwide.

Summary

Are you ready to shape the future of Ophthalmology care for our Nation's Veterans? The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as the Executive Director - Ophthalmology - providing national leadership for programs - policies - and initiatives across VHA. Join us in advancing high-quality - accessible - and innovative eye care for Veterans nationwide.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 09/23/2026. REFERENCES: VA Regulations - specifically VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard effective April 28 - 2026. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following:

Basic Requirements

• FOR PHYSICIAN U.S. Citizen Degree of doctor of medicine: Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine
• The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Approved schools are: (1) Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted - or (2) Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association for the year in which the degree was granted
• Residency Training: Physicians must have successfully completed residency training - approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs - in an accredited core specialty training program (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) leading to eligibility for board certification - OR (2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) leading to eligibility for board certification - OR (3) One year of post medical school training (internship - first year of residency - or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States - OR (4) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - 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
• Licensure: Physicians must possess a 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
• The Physician must maintain current registration in the state of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active - current licensure
• DEMONSTRATED LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess extensive leadership experience in the health care arena sufficient to qualify for the equivalent of a senior executive equivalent position within the Federal service
• In addition - the incumbent is broadly acquainted with clinical treatment modalities - administrative and clinical support systems and is knowledgeable about multifaceted health care delivery systems
• Leadership experience at a national or regional level showing a broad scope of responsibility
• In addition to basic requirements - the following technical and executive core qualifications are required for this position
• Typically - these qualifications would be gained through education - experience and training which reflect progressive development and achievement in responsible management/executive level assignments in health care at a national or Network level - equivalent positions in a hospital/network/regional office or allied medical care facility - or executive positions in an academic institution
• An individual's total experience and education must demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position
• To meet the minimum qualifications - applicants must possess all of the necessary requirements for this position - you MUST SHOW in your RESUME that you possess the five Mandatory Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualification(s) outlined below
• Eligibility will be based on clear and concise accomplishments that emphasize your level of responsibilities - scope and complexity of programs managed - program accomplishments (with results) - policy initiatives and level of contacts
• Applicants can obtain a sample resume along with additional information regarding the Executive Core Qualifications on the Internet at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/qualify.asp
• A
• EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government - commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law - and commitment to serve the American people
• ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources - budget effectively - cut wasteful spending - and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades
• ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge - ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality
• ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision - mission - and goals - and to drive a high-performance - high accountability culture
• This includes - when necessary - the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable
• ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results - and to align results to stated goals from superiors
• B
• TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQ): The applicant must be board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Duties

• This is not a virtual position
• 4-Year 7306 appointment with potential for re-appointment (not guaranteed) This is a Pay Table 4 Tier 2 position
• Salary range is $145 -000 to $295 -000
• NOTE: Exceptions to the salary cap must be approved
• Work schedule: Monday - Friday - 40 hours per week Relocation Incentives: May Be Authorized Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Relocation Expenses: Authorized The Executive Director (ED) - Ophthalmology serves as senior and principal advisor to the Chief Officer - Specialty Care Services - Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services - Deputy Under Secretary for Health (DUSH) - and Under Secretary for Health (USH) - on all policies and procedures pertaining to delivery of services - assessment of services - and outcome analysis relating to ophthalmology programs and initiatives
• The ED - Ophthalmology - collaborates with the Executive Director for Optometry to form VA's Eye Care Services and with DOD to ensure a consistent approach to delivering eye care services to veterans - with services provided through the Vision Center of Excellence
• Additionally - the incumbent collaborates with Network and Medical Center Directors to ensure that top-quality ophthalmologic healthcare delivery services are made available - immediately accessible - and efficiently provided to eligible veterans as clinically indicated
• The ED - Ophthalmology develops short- and long-term goals - objectives - priorities - and plans for the programs - consistent with VA's and VHA's missions - strategies - and goals.