Physician- Ophthalmologist (Glaucoma Specialist)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off: 50–55 days

Competitive salary with performance bonuses

Federal health/vision/dental insurance

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a qualified Ophthalmologist to provide comprehensive care, particularly in glaucoma diagnosis and management. The position involves diagnosing conditions, performing surgeries, and teaching residents in both outpatient and inpatient settings.

Located in San Antonio, Texas, this role offers competitive pay, benefits, and a generous leave policy including 50–55 days of paid time off per year. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in glaucoma treatment and surgical experience.

Qualifications

• Must have a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine.
• Completion of an ACGME or AOA accredited residency training.
• Preferred completion of an ophthalmology fellowship in Glaucoma.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive ophthalmology care within Surgical Service.
• Manage complex glaucoma conditions and perform related surgical procedures.
• Teach ophthalmology residents and support clinical education.

Skills

English proficiency

Glaucoma diagnosis

Cataract surgery

Surgical supervision

Education

Doctor of medicine or equivalent degree

Job description

Summary

Provides comprehensive ophthalmology care with specialized expertise in glaucoma diagnosis – medical management – laser treatment – and surgical procedures – including minimally invasive techniques and drainage implants. Evaluates and treats adult and geriatric patients in ambulatory and inpatient settings – provides consultations across the medical center – participates in rounds and conferences – supports resident education – and contributes to patient-centered – high-quality care.

Summary

Provides comprehensive ophthalmology care with specialized expertise in glaucoma diagnosis – medical management – laser treatment – and surgical procedures – including minimally invasive techniques and drainage implants. Evaluates and treats adult and geriatric patients in ambulatory and inpatient settings – provides consultations across the medical center – participates in rounds and conferences – supports resident education – and contributes to patient-centered – high-quality care.

Qualifications

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
• Education: 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 one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Licensure: 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 accrediting bodies for graduate medical education – the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) – in the list published for the year the residency – or fellowship if applicable – was completed
• OR (2) 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 (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified 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
• Exceptions: 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 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
• In rare and unusual circumstances – the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer – who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience – accomplishments – performance – and qualifications warrant such action
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Completion of Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology approved fellowship in Glaucoma
• American Board of Ophthalmology certification or board eligible
• Competent in the diagnosis and treatment of all forms of glaucoma
• Proficient in performing complex cataract surgery
• Proficient in performing traditional glaucoma surgery and microinvasive glaucoma surgery
• Previous experience with resident clinical and surgical supervision
• Position requires teaching responsibilities
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until May 25 – 2027 or until positions are filled
• Qualified applications received will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur
• 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
• Duties and responsibilities for this position include – but are not limited to the following: Provide comprehensive ophthalmology care within Surgical Service
• Diagnose and treat glaucoma and other ophthalmic diseases
• Manage complex glaucoma conditions – including open-angle – angle-closure – neovascular – low-tension glaucoma – and ocular hypertension
• Perform traditional and minimally invasive glaucoma surgical procedures
• Perform glaucoma drainage implant procedures
• Perform glaucoma laser procedures
• Perform and interpret glaucoma diagnostic testing
• Provide care in both ambulatory and inpatient settings
• Provide ophthalmology consultations throughout the medical center
• Teach ophthalmology residents and support clinical education
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday – 8:00am to 4:30pm