Physician (Ophthalmology) - EDRP & Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized

Summary

The Corneal/External Disease/Comprehensive Ophthalmologist is located in North West Health Care Center (NWHCC)at 9939 State HWY 151 San Antonio, Texas 78251. Responsibilities includes patient care, education and research in the Ophthalmology section of the Surgical Service. The scope of these activities covers hospitalized patients and all phases of ambulatory care. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

Duties

• This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 09/30/2026. Additional applications will be referred as needed. (open continuous announcement). VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. 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 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Corneal/External Disease/Comprehensive Ophthalmologist is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with medical/surgical diseases of the eye and its possible associated systemic cornea/external disease and medical condition. Must be capable to perform comprehensive ophthalmologist when necessary. Participates in patient care through hospital rounds, morning reports, conferences, consultations, participation in ambulatory care and other similar activities. Participates in after hours call and serves as a back up to residents on call. Participates in the teaching and developing resident physicians, and insures that the education experiences in Ophthalmology are of the quality and quantity expected by relevant accrediting bodies. Serves as an important participant and counselor for on-going research activities, involving Ophthalmology. Reviews research proposals and manuscripts and when appropriate, provides counsel to the course of their work. Administratively, responsible to meet all patient care and medical record administrative requirements of the Veterans Health Care Administration as well as local hospital policy. In addition, will participate in the evaluation of resident and/or ophthalmic technician performance. Candidate will be responsible, for insuring the complex mission of the Ophthalmology section in the Veterans Health Care System in general is met in all phases of patient care, education, research and administrative functions.

Requirements

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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. A pre-employment physical evaluation/examination may be required depending on the needs of the agency. 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.

Education

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: Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted. Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for the year in which the degree was granted. 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.