Staff Physician (Ophthalmology)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Palo Alto Health Care System seeks a Staff Surgeon in Ophthalmology with expertise in Comprehensive Ophthalmology.

The incumbent reports to the Chief of Ophthalmology and is responsible for medical and surgical services to eligible veterans. The role includes supervision of trainees, on-call coverage, adherence to safety and quality, and participation in educational activities; candidates must hold MD/DO and full/unrestricted license, with eligibility for

Qualifications

• Must hold an MD or DO degree and full/unrestricted license in the US.
• Residency trained in ophthalmology with eligibility for board certification or board certified.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical and surgical ophthalmology services to eligible veterans.
• Supervise trainees including medical students, residents, and fellows.
• Provide on-call coverage 24/7 as required by the service line.
• Maintain clinical activity statistics and participate in quality management.
• Develop educational materials and provide didactic and hands-on teaching sessions.

Skills

English proficiency

Clinical judgment

Team leadership

Excellent communication

Education

MD or DO

Board eligibility/certification

Tools

Argon laser

YAG laser

Ophthalmic instruments

Job description

Summary

The position of Staff Surgeon - Ophthalmology with special expertise in Comprehensive Ophthalmology at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). The incumbent - who serves as Staff Surgeon in Ophthalmology - reports directly to the Chief of the Ophthalmology Service who in turn reports directly to the Chief of Surgery - and is responsible for providing medical and surgical services to eligible veterans and assist administrating the section of Ophthalmology.

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
• 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
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Complete TB Testing and Immunization evaluations
• See VA Directive/Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
• Work Schedule: Intermittent Clinical: Evaluation and management of Ophthalmology patients
• The incumbent will be responsible for evaluation of patients in the ophthalmology clinic - urgent care clinic - emergency room - intensive care unit - operating room - and/or from other inpatient services
• The incumbent may also supervise trainees including medical students - residents - and fellows in the all of these settings
• The incumbent will be responsible for providing on-call coverage twenty four hours a day - seven days a week - in accordance with the call schedule
• Practices safety - environmental - and/or infection control methods
• Instructs other personnel assigned to health care team on preventive medicine programs and other appropriate medical activities and functions
• Procedures: The incumbent will be responsible for performing procedures that require an ophthalmologist
• Procedures include but are not limited to intravitreal injections and Argon and YAG laser procedures
• Administrative: Maintenance of clinical activity statistics - and conduct of quality management studies as indicated by Ophthalmology Surgery program needs
• Participation in educational rounds and conferences including weekly Ophthalmology Rounds and resident teaching conferences Responsible for the daily provision of the ophthalmology clinical service as directed by the Section Chief - Ophthalmology in the inpatient - OR - and/or outpatient setting
• Responsible for maintaining clinical flow efficiency in the outpatient setting - keeping clinic and operative wait times low
• Develop and write policies/procedures specific to interventions and subject monitoring
• Work with the safety committee to make the surgical environment safer for all personnel from sharps and biohazards
• Supports and enhances VAPAHCS philosophy and goals
• Serve on the hospital committee assignments as necessary Develop educational materials and provide didactic and hands-on teaching sessions for medical student training.