Ophthalmologist serving Veterans

The Robert J. Dole 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 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. The incumbent 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: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday-Friday (Call coverage as necessary for the service)

Paid Time Off:

• 26 Days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave
• 13 Days paid sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation
• 11 Federal holidays with pay annually
• 5 Days paid absence to attend approved CME courses

Insurance:

• Health Insurance: VA employees have an outstanding number of health insurance plans from which to choose (premiums are partially paid by VA) Lifetime Healthcare Insurance options available
• Dental & Vision: Our insurance options also include exceptional vision and dental plans (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• VA employees have the option to use Flexible Spending Accounts, which allow you to use tax-free dollars to pay for medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance plan
• Term life insurance, family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government
• Long-term care insurance is available as an option

Federal Retirement Plan:

• VA employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits, 2) FERS-RAE basic benefits (pension), and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan
• How is the pension funded? VA employees automatically contribute 4.4% of their salary each pay period and the VA contributes 12.2% of the employee’s salary each pay period for a total annual contribution percentage equal to 16.6% of the employee’s salary
• Similar to the 401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector, the TSP allows employees to tax defer a portion of their income each year, subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. For calendar year 2020, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $19,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $25,500.
• The Federal Government also provides an automatic basic contribution (1% of salary) and up to 4% of salary in matching contributions, depending on the amount of the employee contribution
• For retired military personnel, these benefits are in addition to full monthly retirement pay or pension
• In addition to FERS, VA provides health care insurance coverage for retired personnel
• Disability Retirement
• Employees are vested in a federal pension after only 5 years service