Physician-Ophthalmology Section Chief

<p>This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>This is an Open Continuous Announcement and may be extended beyond the current closing date until the position are filled. Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis during the duration of the announcement. Once a selection is made and offer is accepted the announcement may close pending no additional vacancies. Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP), which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements, loan repayments, sign-on bonus contracts, Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years). For additional information and eligibility requirements, contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at vacontractbuyoutprog@va.gov. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact raja.kadeem@va.gov,, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. 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) 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 $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 The Ophthalmology Section Chief provides clinical leadership, oversight, and direction for all ophthalmology and optometry services within the facility. This role ensures high-quality patient care, compliance with medical standards, effective team performance, and efficient operation of the ophthalmology service line. The Ophthalmology Section Chief serves as both a practicing ophthalmologist and the primary supervisor for ophthalmology staff and optometry staff. The Ophthalmologist Chief is assigned to the Specialty Care dept in the Eye Section at AVAHCS and he/she is a key member of the Specialty Care team the incumbent has administrative skills and responsibilities for the Alexandria VA Health Care Systems and Southern Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC); i.e. Lafayette CBOC, Jennings CBOC and Lake Charles CBOC. The Ophthalmologist Section Chief will report directly to the Specialty Care Chief. The incumbent must possess a broad spectrum of clinical and administrative knowledge, specifically with regard to Veteran Care and Staff customer satisfaction, quality of services provided, and efficiency of service delivery. The incumbent is responsible for providing services and technical counsel necessary to meet clinical, procedural, legal and administrative requirements relating to the care and treatment of outpatients to achieve maximum utilization of patient care resources in a cost-effective, efficient, and timely manner. A comprehensive skill set of clinical and administrative expertise is required to integrate Ophthalmology functions among the Medical Center, and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and coordinate Veteran care with entities. The incumbent is expected to follow rules, directives, policies and regulations governing a widespread range of administrative aspects. Additional duties include, but are not limited to: Provides comprehensive ophthalmologic evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for patients across all appropriate subspecialties of ophthalmology. Performs outpatient and inpatient consultations, surgical procedures, postoperative care, and follow-up management. Ensures evidence-based clinical practice and maintains high standards of patient safety and quality of care. Collaborates with other specialties to provide integrated patient management. Participates in call coverage, surgical rotations, and urgent ophthalmologic evaluations. Serves as coordinator between the other attending physicians/ team members. Establish and maintain relations with other key services to include: Surgery and Medicine Services, Primary Care, Prosthetics, Nursing, Social Work, and Radiology. Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday - Friday</p><h3>Requirements</h3>U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.<h3>Education</h3>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 Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted. Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for the year in which the degree was granted. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, confirmation must be made that the medical school meets (or met) Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) eligibility requirement for year graduated. NOTE: The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.