Summary
The physician functions within an interdisciplinary team including physicians, physician extenders, technicians, and administrative staff. The physician is responsible for providing comprehensive surgical and clinical ophthalmic services, supervising residents, and adhering to established policies within the Department of Surgery/Ophthalmology section.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet the basic and any additional requirements listed in the job announcement. Pending applicants may be considered tentatively but cannot be hired until all requirements are fulfilled. Current VA-employed physicians who met the standard at their initial appointment are deemed qualified.
Basic Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may be appointed if qualified citizens are unavailable, per VA policy.
- Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree from an accredited school approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Current, unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in the U.S. or its territories.
- Completed residency training in an accredited program approved by the VA, leading to eligibility for board certification. Residency programs include those approved by ACGME, AOA, or equivalent non-U.S. programs with at least five years of verified practice in the U.S.
- Enrolled residents in accredited programs may be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs), who must be fully licensed and work on an intermittent or fee basis, under supervision.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English.
- Preferred experience includes comprehensive cataract surgery, supervision of residents, and glaucoma; oculoplastics specialty is a plus.
- Must pass a physical examination.
Duties
- Provide comprehensive ophthalmology care and follow-up for existing and emergency conditions.
- Manage pre-operative and post-operative ophthalmology services, including hospital rounds.
- Perform and supervise ophthalmic surgeries, including laser procedures, averaging 1-5 cases daily based on complexity.
- Conduct outpatient and inpatient clinics, seeing approximately 20-25 patients daily.
- Provide hospital rounds for ophthalmology patients.
- Document all services with appropriate notes, including history, physical, progress, operative, and discharge summaries.
- Review morbidity and mortality data and documentation.
- Share on-call duties with other VA staff and outside consultants.
- Educate residents and students on ophthalmology principles and procedures.
- Participate in clinical research, either locally developed or multi-center studies.
- Assist in preparing abstracts for presentations.
- Perform administrative duties to ensure the smooth operation of the Ophthalmology Section, including supervising residents, teaching, policy development, and compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
- Ensure ongoing staff education and compliance with all relevant regulations.