Physician (Ophthalmology)- Recruitment/Relocation Incentive/EDRP Authorized

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 260,000 - 380,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive

EDRP Eligible

Paid Time Off

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a MEDICAL ophthalmologist for the Fort Worth eye clinic, integral to the eye care team. The role includes examining the eye, diagnosing diseases, and creating treatment plans for patients.

Some candidates may be considered for a HYBRID MEDICAL/SURGICAL position, with cornea fellowship preferred. The 75-80% medical workload concentrates in Fort Worth, with 20-25% in Dallas, and there are incentives such as recruitment/relocation and EDRP options.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship as required by VA policy.
• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent in allopathic/osteopathic medicine.
• Current full and unrestricted medical license in the United States.
• Residency training approved by VA for board eligibility.
• Board certification preferred for faculty status in some cases.

Responsibilities

• Examine the eye and determine diagnoses for patient care.
• Create and implement treatment plans and orders.
• Provide primary eye care and vision services.
• Train ophthalmology residents in Dallas clinics and OR.
• Participate in on-call responsibilities for HYBRID candidates.

Skills

Ophthalmology

Communication skills

Clinical examination

Education

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)

Job description

Summary

This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 07/07/2026. Additional applications will be referred as needed (open continuous announcement). A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual.

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.

• 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
• License: 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
• English Language Proficiency: Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Board certified/eligible in ophthalmology or equivalent certification
• Possess extensive clinical experience in diagnosing and managing eye diseases – as well as conducting comprehensive eye exams
• Familiarity with the latest advancements in ophthalmic technology and treatments – strong patient communication skills – and a demonstrated ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary healthcare team are highly preferred
• Additionally – experience with diverse patient populations and a commitment to ongoing professional development are valuable attributes
• Cornea fellowship training preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The position requires compliance with VA Handbook and VASTHCS Policy related to physical requirements. Heavy lifting 45 pounds and over – Heavy carrying 45 pounds and over – Straight pulling for 1 hour – Pulling hand over hand for 5 hours – Pushing for 6 hours – Reaching above shoulder – Use of fingers – Both hands required – Walking 6 hours – Standing for 6 hours – Crawling for 1 hour – Kneeling for 1 hour – Repeated bending for 1 hour – Climbing – legs only for 1 hour – Both legs required – Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously – Near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4 – Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other – Both eyes required – Depth perception – Ability to distinguish basic colors – Ability to distinguish shades of colors – Hearing (aid may be permitted).

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Duties: Position is primarily for a MEDICAL Ophthalmologist in the Fort Worth – Texas eye clinic to function as an integral part of the eye care team – examining the human eye and ascertaining defects of the human visual systems
• Select candidates may be considered for a HYBRID MEDICAL/SURGICAL position (cornea fellowship training preferred)
• This position would entail 75-80% time as MEDICAL ophthalmology in Fort Worth – Texas eye clinic and 20-25% time in Dallas – Texas eye clinic
• As MEDICAL/SURGICAL ophthalmology – responsibilities (in addition to those listed below) would include ophthalmology resident training both in the Dallas eye clinic and Dallas operating room
• For candidates considered for a HYBRID MEDICAL/SURGICAL position – appropriate fellowship training is preferred in order to perform simple and complex ophthalmic lasers – biopsies and other routine surgical procedures
• The HYBRID MEDICAL/SURGICAL position will include on-call responsibilities
• Primary eye care and vision care duties include but are not limited to: 1 prescribing glasses 2 ordering diagnostic imaging and laboratory studies 3 determining a diagnosis 4 creating a treatment plan 5 patient and family health education
• Components of primary ophthalmology eye and vision care include but are not limited to: 1 emergency care (evaluating/managing/triaging emergent – non-surgical eye conditions) 2 problem oriented care (managing patients referred with complaints typical of routine disorders) 3 preventative health services (performing mandated examinations such as diabetic retinopathy – macular degeneration and glaucoma screenings)
• Clinic procedures include but are not limited to: 1 medical and ocular history 2 visual acuity testing 3 pupillary function testing 4 color vision testing 5 extraocular muscle function and binocularity testing 6 refractive and accommodative testing 7 external examination of the eye and adnexal structures 8 biomicroscopic evaluation of the ocular adnexa – anterior – and/or posterior segments of the eye including gonioscopic and fundus lens evaluation ophthalmoscopic – tonometric – and perimetric evaluations
• There may be other administrative or patient care duties as assigned
• The incumbent will be supervised by the chief of ophthalmology section at the Dallas VA Medical Center for quality – productivity and adherence to performance measures
• Productivity ranges expected are minimum 16 complete exams per day on average
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• This position is eligible for EDRP – a student loan payment reimbursement program
• You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date
• Program approval – award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application
• 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) Paid Parental Leave: 12 weeks of paid leave for birth of child – adoption – foster care
• 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 $2,000 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
• Work Schedule: Monday – Friday
• 80 hours per 2 week pay period
• Tour of Duty TBD
• On-call responsibilities for HYBRID MEDICAL/SURGICAL candidates