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. 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: The physical requirements of this position include occasional lifting, prolonged standing and sitting, frequent bending, walking (distance), climbing, reaching (overhead, extensive/repetitive), repetitive motion, and stooping. The mental/sensory requirements include recall, reasoning, problem-solving, hearing, speaking clearly, writing legibly, reading, and logical thinking. ["This announcement is for a highly skilled, ABO board certified/eligible, ophthalmologic surgeon experienced in intraocular lens replacement- IOL, ophthalmologic office-based care and resident supervision at the Salem VA Medical Center and is eligible for a recruitment or relocation incentive of $20,000. The VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package to include competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases. Free liability protection with tail coverage provided and no significant restriction on moonlighting. See VHA Physician Total Rewards for more information on benefits. Duties will include but are not limited to: Assessing and examining patients 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 a plus 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 them to understand their medical condition Supporting health promotion and disease prevention activities Completing clinical charting and documentation appropriately and in a timely manner. And other duties as assigned for the strategic needs of the medical center The ophthalmology section functions under Surgical Care service line at the Salem Veteran Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Salem, Virginia. The physician functions within an interdisciplinary staff consisting of physicians, physician extenders, technicians, administrative and clerical staff. The incumbent is responsible and accountable for ensuring the provision of comprehensive surgical/clinical ophthalmic services, resident supervision and complies with established policies within the department of surgery/ophthalmology section. The physician is immediately accountable to the Chief of Ophthalmology, the Chief of Surgery, and ultimately accountable to the Chief of Staff (COS). This physician is responsible for providing the most effective delivery of clinical care throughout the medical center while meeting and exceeding compliance standards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): $20,000 for 2-year commitment Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Contact the EDRP Coordinators, Christopher Cullen or Brandon Dillon at visn6salemsbu@va.gov, 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: Full time; 7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday. Due to the nature of work, the physician may occasionally be required to stay later than the end-of-tour. Night and weekend call assignment is required and will be shared with the other ophthalmologists and optometrists in the department. Subject to change based on agency needs. 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Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.