Physician- Ophthalmology

Miami VA Healthcare (Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center) System's Surgical Care Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic board-certified Ophthalmologist. Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards, as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center.

This is an open continuous announcement that will remain open until filled. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Eligible applicants will be referred each week for consideration until a selection is made.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
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 Miami VA Healthcare (Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center) is seeking a board certified Ophthalmology surgeon specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and surgical management of cataracts. This is a intermittent position.

A summary of the duties is mentioned below but not limited to:

• Conduct comprehensive eye examinations to assess vision and overall ocular health.
• Diagnose cataracts and other anterior and posterior segment disorders and determine severity and need for surgery.-
• Counsel patients regarding their condition, treatment options, and expected outcomes.
• Perform cataract and other anterior segment surgeries, including phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Candidates desiring surgical practice are preferred, but medical ophthalmologist are also encouraged to apply.
• Intravitreal injections will be given to treat choroidal neovascularization and other disorders.
• Select and customize IOLs (monofocal, multifocal, toric) based on patient needs.
• Utilize advanced surgical techniques and technologies to ensure precision and optimal outcomes.
• Monitor postoperative recovery, manage complications, and adjust treatment plans as needed.
• Prescribe medications and provide detailed aftercare instructions.
• Conduct follow-up appointments to evaluate treatment success and address patient concerns.
• Collaborate with optometrists, ophthalmic technicians, and other healthcare providers for pre- and postoperative care.
• Refer patients to appropriate subspecialists when additional treatments or procedures are required.
• Provide clear explanations of medical and surgical risks, benefits, and alternatives.
• Educate patients on preventive measures and maintain eye health post-surgery.
• Maintain accurate and thorough medical records, including surgical outcomes and patient history.
• Ensure adherence to medical, ethical, and legal standards in ophthalmology practice.
• Participate fully in the on-call schedule on a rotational basis.
• Train and mentor residents in an academic teaching facility when called upon.

Work Schedule: (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs).

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.
• Education: 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.
• License and Registration: 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 (Ophthalmology) 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.
• Board Certification: Ophthalmology
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d)

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Physical requirements for this position include light lifting (under 15 lbs.), straight pulling (.5 hour), reaching above shoulders, use of fingers (both hands required), walking (1 hour intermittently), standing (2 hours intermittently); ability to distinguish colors and shades of color; rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable to 13" to 16"; hearing aid permitted.

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 an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are:

1. Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted.
2. Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for the year in which the degree was granted.
3. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, confirmation must be made that the medical school meets (or met) Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) eligibility requirement for year graduated.

NOTE: The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.