This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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: Board Eligible or Board Certified Ophthalmologist. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical 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. ["The Marion VA Health Care System, also known as Marion Veterans Administration Hospital, is a Veterans Affairs hospital in Marion, Illinois. The hospital is responsible for providing healthcare to U.S. military veterans in Southern Illinois and neighboring states. Marion VA Healthcare System serves health needs of Veterans living in 27 counties in southern Illinois, 8 counties in southwestern Indiana, and 17 counties in northwestern Kentucky. We provide health care services to more than 43,000 Veterans every year. Our medical center maintains 55 acute care beds and operates a 60-bed community living center. Construction of our medical center began in 1939, and the hospital started accepting patients in 1942. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): A repayment program for qualified student loans, over a 5-year period and repayment of up to $200,000. Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Contact Audrey.West@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 The Marion VA Medical Center is seeking a full-time, Board Eligible or Board-Certified Ophthalmologist to join their Surgical Service team. The Ophthalmologist will perform primary 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. 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. Managing 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 surgeries with YAG SLT, and Argon lasers. Collaborating with other physician specialists and medical staff in overall treatment of patient medical conditions. Managing medical disorders affecting vision, such as inflammatory, vascular, neurological and genetic disorders, thyroid eye disease, diabetes and strokes. Communicating with patients and family members educating then to understand their medical condition. Supporting health promotion and disease prevention activities. Completing clinical charting and documentation appropriately and in a timely manner. 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. The Evansville Health Care Center provides cutting-edge surgical and procedural care to Veterans having basic ambulatory surgical complexity procedures, including general surgical, ENT, urologic, orthopedic, and dental surgery. The Ophthalmologist will establish professional working relationships with other clinical service providers within the 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. He/she will report to the Chief, Surgery Service or his designee. Specialists and other physicians are available for consultation. The Ophthalmologist shall be expected to cooperate with and participate in medical duties or functions related to quality of care, peer review, improvement and with other performance improvement activities at the direction of the Chief, Surgery Service and the Chief of Staff. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
