Summary

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.

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 residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States) - 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
• 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 or fee-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
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Retina Specialist or Training and experience in Ophthalmology - Retina
• Active current surgical practice
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction
• This position may involve standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting - and turning
• The work may involve going up and down flights of stairs.

Duties

• The Wilmington VA Medical Center is currently seeking a full-time - Board Eligible or Board-Certified Ophthalmologist to join their Surgical Care team
• The Ophthalmologist will perform clinical and surgical duties
• The incumbent will be expected to manage and treat a wide variety of general ophthalmic conditions to include anterior segment diseases - eyelid disorders - glaucoma - diabetic retinal disorders - macular degeneration - and some ophthalmic neurological disorders
• Fellowship training in Retina is preferred but the candidate selected will be required to provide general Ophthalmology care
• Wilmington - Delaware is a wonderful community - 40 minutes from Philadelphia - and directly in between New York and Washington - D.C
• Enjoy the convenience and connectivity to the entire northeast corridor
• The selected physician will function within an interdisciplinary staff consisting of physicians - optometrists - technicians - ophthalmology and optometry residents - and administrative and clerical staff
• Duties will include providing a full spectrum of eye care including but not limited to: - Cataract Surgery - Assessing and examining patients to diagnose and develop treatment plans
• - Managing medical disorders affecting vision - such as inflammatory - vascular - neurological and genetic disorders - thyroid eye disease - diabetes and strokes
• - Performing surgical procedures related to injuries and diseases of the eye and the visual system
• - Performing surgeries with YAG - SLT - and Argon lasers
• - Collaborating with other physician specialists and medical staff in overall treatment of patient medical conditions
• - The Ophthalmologist will be responsible for all patient orders including laboratory - imaging - pharmacy - prosthetics - and consults for specialty care to be completed through CPRS
• - Ophthalmologist will see patients individually and/or operate independently as well as staff resident clinics and staff residents in the operating room
• - Appropriate - professional - and timely medical record documentation - assist with monitoring clinic management
• - Participates when required in matters concerning clinic productivity - relevant performance measures - Quality and Patient Safety oversight - peer review - as well as process improvements (system redesigns)
• - Comply with national and local regulatory - policy - and accreditation requirements
• - Show effectiveness in teaching and supervision of ophthalmology residents and assist in coordinating educational activities
• comply with necessary trainee supervision requirements
• - The ophthalmologist will share Attending call afterhours and weekends - Attend required staff meetings - communicate up and down the chain of command - assist in managing any surgical or clinical issues that arise within the service and at the direction of the Section Chief VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): 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
• Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@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 Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 8am to 430pm
• Flexible call schedule split amongst Ophthalmology physicians and residents
• Bargaining Unit Status: Yes