Physician (Ophthalmology) - Associate Chief of Surgery for Eye Care

About the role

The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center seeks an experienced and dynamic Physician (Ophthalmology) to serve as the Associate Chief of Surgery for Eye Care. The position utilizes basic management skills in planning, problem-solving, leadership, communication, and personnel management.

Responsibilities

• Monitoring the quality of eye care rendered throughout the hospital and satellite facilities, including surgical, emergency, outpatient, and special procedure areas.
• Recommending through Surgical Service to the hospital administration and medical staff, the type, amount of equipment, and supplies necessary for providing appropriate care in the Eye Clinics and the Operating Room.
• Developing regulations and providing oversight concerning quality of care and patient safety in the Eye Clinics and the Operating Room.
• Establishing a program of continuing education for all personnel having Ophthalmology and Optometry privileges and ensuring all mandatory training is completed timely.
• Participating in, supporting, and growing robust residency and externship programs that are currently present in the Eye service.
• Serving as the supervisor for the Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, and Eye Technicians on the staff.
• Spending 80% of their time in direct clinical care, including outpatient clinics, inpatient consults and care as required, surgical procedures, and on-call responsibilities shared with other providers in the service.

Requirements

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.

Qualifications

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.
• Medical Degree: Must have obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are: Schools of medicine accredited by the LCME for the year in which the degree was granted; Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the COCA for the year in which the degree was granted.
• 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.

Benefits

• 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)
• 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

Pay

Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases

Schedule

Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report

Not Required

U.S. Citizenship

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 in accordance with VA Policy.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Required Documents

Refer to Required Documents below for more information.

Physical Requirements

Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019. This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health. This position requires: light to moderate lifting (15 - 44 lbs.); light carrying (15 lbs. and under); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 2 hours); standing (up to 2 hours); kneeling (up to 1 hour); ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); emotional stability; mental stability; working closely with others; and working alone.

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 an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are: Schools of medicine accredited by the LCME for the year in which the degree was granted; Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the COCA for the year in which the degree was granted.

Additional Information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.