Physician (Ophthalmologist)
The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. We are seeking an Ophthalmologist to join our team in Columbia, MO. At the VA, your work will carry purpose as you provide care to Veterans while enjoying strong federal benefits and stability.
ABOUT HARRY S. TRUMAN VA MEDICAL CENTER, COLUMBIA, MO: Truman VA is 120 miles from St. Louis and Kansas City and 30 miles from Jefferson City. We have 1,600 staff, provide care for 40,000 Veterans, and the VHA hospital complexity level is 1c. Truman VA operates 8 Community-Based Outpatient Clinics. Truman VA offers training in nursing, psychology, audiology, social work, dietetics, pharmacy, chaplaincy, health care administration, and optometry, as well as residency training in all major medical and surgical Subspecialties. Truman VA is a referral center for heart care services including open heart surgery. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact visn15edrp@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 - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Ophthalmologist DUTIES: Make preliminary diagnosis, direct, prescribe or provide treatment. Arrange for specialized care or patient referral as required. Training and familiarity with diagnosis and state-of-the-art management of patients with comprehensive ophthalmic disorders. Provide comprehensive ophthalmology care including prevention, health maintenance, early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up services to patients. Conduct outpatient clinics, review patients' medications, diet, course of therapy, adherence to management plan and patient observations. Modify management plan as indicated, and instruct and counsel patients as required. Performs ophthalmologic procedures on patients including consultation, and ophthalmic care to correct or treat various conditions, illnesses and injuries. Perform and supervise retinal laser procedures in the laser room; perform surgical ophthalmologic surgical interventions. Document services through appropriate notes, such as History and Physical, Progress notes, and Procedure notes. Serves as a consultant to primary care physicians and accept referrals and outpatient consultations from other providers. Function in a teaching capacity by educating others (patients, staff, Health Professional Trainees (HPTs)) in the assessment, treatment, management and evaluation of ophthalmologic disorders. Refer patients as appropriate; working closely with allied health professionals. Participate in the Surgical Department Quality Assurance and Peer Review programs. Attend required staff meetings, communicating up and down the chain of command and helping prepare heads-up and issue briefs related to adverse patient outcomes at the direction of the Section Chief. Clinical Management including indirect patient care: open encounter and open consult maintenance, CPRS documentation requirements. Maintains involvement in matters concerning clinic productivity, relevant performance measures, Quality and Patient Safety oversight, as well as process improvements. Perform other duties as assigned by the Section Chief, Chief of Surgery, and/or clinical leadership to meet the needs of the organization.
U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.