Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is seeking an experienced and dynamic Physician (Ophthalmology) to serve as the Associate Chief of Surgery for Eye Care - utilizing basic management skills in planning - problem solving - leadership communication - and personnel management.

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.

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
• 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
• Board Certification in Ophthalmology is required
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT
• Eligible applicants will be referred until all vacancies are filled
• The Associate Chief of Surgery for Eye Care will be responsible for the daily operation of the Eye Care Section - and may be designated as the Acting Chief of Surgery during the absence of the Chief of Surgery on an \"as needed\" basis
• Duties include - but are not limited to: 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 ensures all mandatory training is completed timely
• Participate in - support - and grow robust residency and externship programs that are currently present in the Eye service
• Ensuring the qualified Ophthalmology personnel are available for the daily surgical schedule and providing a schedule for 24-hour day - 7-day-a-week availability of Ophthalmology/Optometry care
• Serving as the supervisor for the Ophthalmologists - Optometrists - and Eye Technicians on the staff
• The selected physician will spend 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
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• 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
• 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required