Physician (Staff Anesthesiologist)

About the facility

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities—including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites—to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program.

VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services, including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology, and physical therapy. Most medical centers also offer additional medical and surgical specialty services, including:

• Audiology & speech pathology
• Dermatology
• Dental
• Geriatrics
• Neurology
• Oncology
• Podiatry
• Prosthetics
• Urology
• Vision care

Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive eye examinations, including refraction, binocular vision assessment, and ocular health evaluation
• Diagnose, manage, and treat ocular diseases and disorders, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and cataracts
• Prescribe and fit corrective lenses, including spectacles and contact lenses
• Provide pre- and post-operative care for patients undergoing ocular surgery
• Administer and interpret diagnostic tests, such as visual field tests, retinal imaging, and optical coherence tomography (OCT)
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans for patients with low vision or visual impairments
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including ophthalmologists, primary care providers, and specialists, to ensure comprehensive patient care
• Provide patient education on ocular health, disease prevention, and treatment options
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records in accordance with VA policies and procedures
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and adhere to clinical practice guidelines
• Supervise and mentor optometry students, residents, and other trainees as assigned
• Engage in scholarly activities, such as research, presentations, and publications, to advance the field of optometry

Requirements

• Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from a school or college of optometry accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE)
• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia
• Completion of a one-year residency program accredited by the ACOE (preferred but not required)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• U.S. citizenship

Benefits

• Annual leave (13-26 days per year, depending on length of service)
• Sick leave (13 days per year)
• 10 paid federal holidays per year
• Comprehensive health insurance (Federal Employees Health Benefits Program)
• Dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance (Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance)
• Long-term care insurance
• Retirement plan (Federal Employees Retirement System, including a Thrift Savings Plan with up to 5% matching contributions)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (for health care and dependent care expenses)
• Student loan repayment program (for eligible employees)
• Professional development opportunities, including continuing education and training
• Work-life balance programs, such as telework and flexible work schedules