Physician - Ophthalmology (Retina Specialist)

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Functions: This is a virtual care position that reports directly to the Clinical Director of Virtual Eye Care and provides subspecialty virtual eye care in retina. The Virtual Eye Care ophthalmologist is responsible for patient care through the Virtual Eye Care program which includes reading images per protocol, reading images in a timely fashion, caring for ophthalmology patients nationally via telehealth using all modalities - asynchronous, synchronous, hybrid, and e-consults. Must be comfortable and willing to practice comprehensive ophthalmology, in addition to retina, and perform SLT/LI/Yag Cap. This position requires travel of up to one week per month to provide procedural care at a VISN 23 facility to perform injections, procedures, lasers, and potentially surgery. This is a requirement of the position and if unwilling to perform this duty will need to leave the position. Clinical Responsibilities: The Reading Ophthalmologist is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with medical diseases, accomplished through the Virtual Eye Care program. Actively participates in patient care and provide high quality care as if she/he were seeing the patient through an in-person exam. Reads Virtual Eye Care photographic sets in a timely fashion. Follows Virtual Eye Care protocols and procedures. Participates in peer review. Provides retina expertise via telehealth to all spoke sites of the V23 Virtual Eye Care Hub. Responsible for coordinating and providing ophthalmologic consultation via Virtual Eye Care and contact patients to help arrange follow up care and ancillary tests throughout the medical center. Academic/Teaching/Training: May participate in the selection and development of all resident physicians and ensures that education experiences of Ophthalmology are of the quality and quantity expected by relevant accrediting bodies as needed. May participate in recruiting qualified physicians to join the Virtual Eye Care program. Provides education about the Virtual Eye Care program to new sites and help train new providers. Provides teaching and consultation on staff education and development to VISN 23 VAMC Virtual Eye Care clinical staff including residents and fellows, as well as other clinical trainees and clinical staff from other specialties such as primary care. Research/Program Evaluation: Provides feedback on Virtual Eye Care protocols and the overall Virtual Eye Care process. Participate, if desired, in research studies involving Virtual Eye Care. Aids the Clinical Director with QA/QI of the national VECS and NSON programs. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. 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, 8:00am - 4:30pm CT. Compressed tour available. Additional information may be provided during the interview process. This is a remote position. Candidates must reside within 50 miles of a VA facility. Internet speed tests may be requested to verify/determine suitability for remote work of candidates in consideration under this announcement.