Physician (Ophthalmologist)

About the role

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

We are seeking an Ophthalmologist to join our team in Columbia, MO. At the VA, your work will carry purpose as you provide care to Veterans while enjoying strong federal benefits and stability.

Responsibilities

• Make preliminary diagnosis, direct, prescribe or provide treatment. Arrange for specialized care or patient referral as required.
• Train and familiarize yourself with diagnosis and state-of-the-art management of patients with comprehensive ophthalmic disorders.
• Provide comprehensive ophthalmology care including prevention, health maintenance, early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up services to patients.
• Conduct outpatient clinics, review patients' medications, diet, course of therapy, adherence to management plan and patient observations. Modify management plan as indicated, and instruct and counsel patients as required.
• Perform and supervise retinal laser procedures in the laser room; perform surgical ophthalmologic surgical interventions.
• Document services through appropriate notes, such as History and Physical, Progress notes, and Procedure notes.
• Serve as a consultant to primary care physicians and accept referrals and outpatient consultations from other providers.
• Function in a teaching capacity by educating others (patients, staff, Health Professional Trainees (HPTs)) in the assessment, treatment, management and evaluation of ophthalmologic disorders.
• Refer patients as appropriate; working closely with allied health professionals.
• Participate in the Surgical Department Quality Assurance and Peer Review programs.
• Attend required staff meetings, communicating up and down the chain of command and helping prepare heads-up and issue briefs related to adverse patient outcomes at the direction of the Section Chief.
• Perform clinical management including indirect patient care: open encounter and open consult maintenance, CPRS documentation requirements.
• Maintain involvement in matters concerning clinic productivity, relevant performance measures, Quality and Patient Safety oversight, as well as process improvements.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Section Chief, Chief of Surgery, and/or clinical leadership to meet the needs of the organization.

Requirements

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.

This is an open-continuous announcement and will remain open until October 1, 2026, or until the vacancies are filled (if a selection is made and offer accepted, announcement will be closed).

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.
• 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.
• Board certification in Ophthalmology preferred; board eligibility accepted.
• Physical Requirements: This position requires a pre-employment physical. Requires lifting 15-44 pounds; pushing (approx. 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers and both hands; walking and standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4. Far visions correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other. Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Hearing aid is permitted.