Section Chief Ophthalmology

at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in North Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Summary This is an open and continuous announcement, applicants will be reviewed and sent to the hiring officials every two weeks if eligible and qualified, until an applicant has been selected. Education and length of practice are considered through a formal pay-setting process to determine the final compensable salary (Base Pay + Market Pay). Responsibilities This is an open and continuous announcement, applicants will be reviewed and sent to the hiring officials every two weeks if eligible and qualified, until an applicant has been selected. 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 Major Responsibilities and Duties: The incumbent will be expected to manage and treat a wide variety of conditions affecting the eye and ocular adnexa. This includes the medical and surgical management advance glaucoma, medical and surgical vitreoretinal disease and/or advance corneal and refractive surgery. The incumbent is required to have completed an ACGME accredited ophthalmology training program, and be either board certified, or eligible for board certification. The incumbent is required to have completed a 12 – 24 months of subspecialty training in either advanced medical and surgical glaucoma, cornea and refractive surgery, or vitreoretinal surgery. In addition, the incumbent will have general ophthalmology training to include competent triage and management of anterior segment diseases, glaucoma, diabetic retinal disorders, macular degeneration, and ophthalmic retinal disorders. Duties will include providing a full spectrum of eye care including but not limited to: Assessing and examining patients to diagnosis and develop treatment plans. Manage ophthalmic conditions, taking into consideration both medical and psychological aspects of patient care. Performing surgical procedures related to injuries and diseases of the eye and visual system. Perform a variety of laser and cryotherapy surgeries. Support development of a regional “Center of Excellence” for refractive surgery and corneal cross-linking for active-duty beneficiaries. Collaborating with other physician specialists and medical staff in overall treatment of patient medical conditions. Manage medical disorders affecting vision, such as inflammatory, vascular, neurological, genetic disorders, thyroid eye disease, diabetes, and strokes. Communicate with patients and family members educating them to support health promotion and disease prevention activities. Complete clinical charting and documentation appropriately and in a timely manner. Participate in ophthalmology call schedule shared equitably by all staff members of the Eye Clinic. Complete administrative training requirements to maintain hospital staff privileges. Maintain clinical staff privileges for outpatient and inpatient consultation and admissions common to all staff physicians. Support the facility’s mission of “Readying Warriors … Caring for Heroes” by supporting the medical readiness mission of the United States Navy. Outstanding interpersonal skills are essential, as the successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary staff in the delivery of excellent health care to our nation’s veterans, active­ duty military, active-duty dependents, and retired military beneficiaries. The facility provides cutting-edge surgical and procedural care within the scope of an intermediate complexity ambulatory and inpatient multi-disciplinary facility. Collaborating surgical specialties including general surgical, ENT, urology, gynecology, orthopedic, podiatry, and oral-maxillofacial surgical services. The ophthalmic surgeon will establish professional working relationships with other clinical service providers within the medical center and outlying Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), providing telephone and e-consult consultations as needed and screening consults that are received for appropriateness prior to scheduling. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm; daily work hours may vary due to patient care needs and are bound by VHA Title 38 regulations. As a Section Chief of Ophthalmology, the candidate with work as equally clinical partner with the existing Ophthalmology team, responsible to create, publish and share equally in the on-call schedule to ensure the facility has 24/7 coverage for Ophthalmic Surgery. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. 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 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 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR (3) Other resid