Physician Lead (Ophthalmologist)

Summary

Education and length of practice are considered through a formal pay-setting process to determine the final compensable salary (Base Pay + Market Pay) The Richmond's Fredericksburg Healthcare Center (FHCC) is projected to open in March of 2025. Those hired for these positions will be required to work at the Richmond VA Medical Center or one of the other CBOCs (management determination based on need) until the FHCC opens.

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) - 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
• Line Manager
• A service chief or line manager physician must demonstrate the following: (a) Outstanding professional ability in the practice of medicine or a medical specialty
• and (b) Ability to guide the development and implementation of programs within their respective domain
• These programs would include - but are not limited to medical practice - professional standards - personnel issues - and quality and performance improvement
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• 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 the activities of the position without restrictions.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Provides a full range of services including assessment and using the most appropriate techniques in providing quality care in ophthalmology
• Performs appropriate ophthalmic evaluations for patients admitted to the medical center - who present in the emergency department/clinic and/or virtually to the medical center and/or community-based clinics
• Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions to units/programs in the facility to which they are assigned and has clinical privileges to practice including diagnostic assessment - medication evaluation and management
• Serves as a consultant to other medical center staff and trainees and assist in implementation of treatment plans appropriate regarding their patients
• Orders appropriate diagnostic tests and discriminates between normal and abnormal findings and makes appropriate treatment decisions
• Specific tasks are itemized in each physicians Credentialing and Privileging package
• Involved in performance improvement and quality assurance initiatives
• Is involved in the supervision and teaching of residents training in ophthalmology and other trainees assigned to the Ophthalmology section as appropriate
• Is responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the healthcare system - as appropriate
• The incumbent reports to the Section Chief - Surgery of the FxHCC - who provides administrative direction in the form of overall program goals and requirements
• He/she is accountable for program compliance with all applicable laws and VA policies
• The Lead must apply these requirements to the Ophthalmology section - consistent with existing circumstances - and act independently in resolving day-today problems
• The incumbent operates with wide latitude in the use of clinical methods and modern technology
• Work is reviewed based on performance outcomes - stakeholder satisfaction - achievement of program goals - and external review reports
• Clinical Responsibilities (75%-85% of Time)1
• Provides a full range of services including assessment and using the most appropriate techniques in providing quality care in ophthalmology.2
• Performs appropriate evaluations for patients.3
• Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions to units/programs in the Medical Center to which they are assigned and has clinical privileges to practice including
• diagnostic assessment - medication evaluation and management.4
• Participates effectively in team meetings and treatment planning conferences and collaborates with multidisciplinary team members in a manner that enhances coordination of comprehensive patient care.5
• Orders diagnostic tests and discriminates between normal and abnormal findings and makes appropriate treatment decisions.6
• Ensures that the practice of medicine is consistent with Joint Commission - CARF - VA policies and procedures - clinical practice psychiatric guidelines - VISN standards - National statutes and regulations - medical record documentation - mandatory continuing education and HIPM policies.7
• Additional tasks as specified in physician credentialing and privileging package.8
• Other duties as required.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: 08:00AM-4:30PM