Ophthalmologist, Glaucoma Specialist, South Texas VA San Antonio, TX

Are you ready to take your ophthalmology career to the next level while serving those who have served our country? Join the dynamic and dedicated team at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) in beautiful San Antonio, Texas. Enjoy a rewarding career with unmatched benefits, state-of-the-art facilities, and the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of our veterans.

South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS)
Opportunity Type: Permanent - Full Time
FTEs Needed: 1
Specialty Sought: MD/DO - Ophthalmologist, Glaucoma Specialist

Opportunity Highlights:

The South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) in San Antonio, Texas is seeking a comprehensive ophthalmologist and a glaucoma specialist to join our dynamic team of 10 ophthalmologists. This position offers a busy clinical and surgical practice with responsibilities including clinical care and resident supervision in both outpatient and operating room settings.

The STVHCS Ophthalmology Department is affiliated with the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio and the Department of Defense Ophthalmology Residency Program located at Brooke Army Medical Center and Wilford Hall Medical Center.

STVHCS Ophthalmology services are located at the new Northwest Health Care Center, which opened in April 2022. The Ophthalmology Clinic boasts:

• 19 exam lanes
• 2 procedure suites
• Anterior segment and retina lasers
• Extensive imaging resources including 2 IOLMaster 700, 2 Humphrey Visual Fields, 2 CIRRUS OCT, 2 ultra-wide field fundus cameras, Eye Cubed ultrasound, and Zeiss Forum imaging management system

The clinic is adjacent to a new, state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center (ASC) featuring 3 operating rooms dedicated to eye surgeries including cataract, glaucoma, cornea, retina, and oculoplastic. The ASC is staffed by experienced eye nurses, eye scrub techs, and anesthesia professionals. Glaucoma specialists will be able to perform a variety of procedures, including the latest MIGS such as iStent, KDB, Xen, Omni, and Micro pulse.

Candidate Preferences:

• Required:
• U.S. Citizen
• Board Eligible/Board Certified in Ophthalmology
• Active medical license in any U.S. state
• Fellowship training in glaucoma (for glaucoma position)
• Preferred: Clinical experience in ophthalmology

Proposed Compensation:

• Range: $300,000 - $400,000 (GS 15)
• Incentives Offered: None
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Not available

Other Information:

• Call Coverage: Yes, shared home call
• Academic Affiliated (faculty appointment available): Yes
• Practice Environment: Outpatient
• Current Trainees/Recent Grads considered: Yes
• Work Schedule/Tour of Duty: Mon-Fri, 8am-4:30pm

VA Physician Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Board Certification or Eligibility in the appropriate specialty
• Active medical license in any U.S. state
• Meet physical, educational, and licensure requirements as per VA standards
• Mandatory background check and other onboarding processes required

Benefits of Working with the VA:

• Retirement Plans: VA physicians benefit from a comprehensive retirement package that includes the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and Social Security.
• Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS): This is a key part of your VA retirement. With FERS, money is set aside for you during your career. After five years, you are vested, meaning you have a right to the retirement benefits. The longer you stay with the VA, the bigger your retirement annuity check will grow.
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): This is the federal government’s version of a 401(k) plan, offering both automatic and matching contributions from the VA.
• Social Security: Combined with FERS and TSP, Social Security forms one leg of your three-legged retirement stool, providing financial stability in retirement.
• Generous Leave Policy: VA offers substantial time off, including annual leave, sick leave, federal holidays, and paid parental leave.
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans.
• Career Development: Opportunities for professional growth through training, education, and research.

Living in San Antonio, Texas:

San Antonio is a vibrant city known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and strong community spirit. Residents enjoy:

• No State Income Tax: Texas does not levy a state income tax, allowing residents to enjoy more of their earnings.
• Attractions and Activities:
• The Coast: Only a few hours away for beautiful beaches and coastal destinations.
• Houston: The largest city in Texas with numerous museums, parks, and a dynamic urban setting.
• Dallas: Known for its modern skyline and high-end shopping and dining.
• The Hill Country: A scenic area offering outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, and wine tasting.

From family-friendly activities to a robust arts scene and a growing foodie culture, San Antonio is a great place to live and work.

Contact Information:

For more information, please contact:

Craig Rickaway
Primary Recruiter
Email: Craig.Rickaway@va.gov

Join us in serving those who have served our country. Apply today!

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 2025, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $23,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $31,000.
• 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

South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) is comprised of two inpatient campuses: the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio and the Kerrville VA Hospital in Kerrville, Texas. STVHCS serves one of the largest primary service areas in the nation and is part of the VA Heart of Texas Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 17), with offices located in Arlington, Texas. South Texas provides health care services for 80,000 unique Veterans. The Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital (ALMMVH), named after the nation’s most decorated World War II hero, is a quaternary care facility, which is affiliated with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). Comprehensive health care is provided through acute medical, surgical, mental health, physical medicine and rehabilitation, geriatric, and primary care services. Comprised of a Spinal Cord Injury Center, a Community Living Center, a Domiciliary, and a Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP). ALMMVH provides quaternary services including bone marrow transplantation, open-heart surgery, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography. As a Level II Research facility ALMMVH has projects that include aging, cardiac surgery, cancer, diabetes and HIV. The facility has one of three National Institutes of Health sponsored clinical research centers in the VA. In addition, the Geriatric Research, Education & Clinical Center (GRECC) is a “Center of Excellence.” The Kerrville VA Hospital (KVAH), located 65 miles northwest of San Antonio, provides primary care, some specialty care, geriatric evaluation and management, palliative care, and long-term care services with a Community Living Center. Outpatient clinics offer primary care and some specialty care while sharing resources with each other and their respective communities. When required, Veterans are referred to ALMMVH or KVAH for specialty care including medicine, surgery, neuropsychiatry, rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, and long-term care services.