Physician (Ophthalmologist)

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.

01Basic 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.

02Preferred Experience

Board certification in Ophthalmology preferred; board eligibility accepted. Candidate will be expected to supervise Ophthalmology residents and will be expected to meet ACGME eligibility requirements as it relates to supervision of Ophthalmology residents. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

03Physical 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.

ABOUT HARRY S. TRUMAN VA MEDICAL CENTER, COLUMBIA, MO: Truman VA is 120 miles from St. Louis and Kansas City and 30 miles from Jefferson City. We have 1,600 staff, provide care for 40,000 Veterans, and the VHA hospital complexity level is 1c. Truman VA operates 8 Community-Based Outpatient Clinics.

Truman VA offers training in nursing, psychology, audiology, social work, dietetics, pharmacy, chaplaincy, health care administration, and optometry, as well as residency training in all major medical and surgical Subspecialties. Truman VA is a referral center for heart care services including open heart surgery. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact [email protected], 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 Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 730-4pm Ophthalmologist Duties: Make preliminary diagnosis, direct, prescribe or provide treatment.

Arrange for specialized care or patient referral as required. Training and familiarity with diagnosis and state-of-the-art management of patients with disorders of the cornea. 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. Performs ophthalmologic procedures on patients including consultation, and ophthalmic care to correct or treat various conditions, illnesses and injuries. 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.

Serves 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. Clinical Management including indirect patient care: open encounter and open consult maintenance, CPRS documentation requirements. Maintains 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.