Seeking BC/BE Fellowship Trained Ophthalmologist with Cornea Qualifications for New Mexico VA Healthcare System, Albuquerque NM

Position Information:

The New Mexico VA Healthcare System (NMVAHCS), Albuquerque NM, is recruiting a talented Board Certified / Board Eligible, Fellowship Trained, Ophthalmologist with Cornea Qualifications, to join our healthcare surgical service team. NMVAHCS is a Level 1 tertiary referral center with a 24-hour Emergency Room located in the heart of the Land of Enchantment. The medical center is authorized to operate 310 beds, which include 184 acute hospital beds (including a 26 bed Spinal Cord Injury Center), 90 residential rehabilitation treatment program beds (including a 26 bed Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program [PRRTP], a 24 bed Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program [SARRTP], a 40 bed Domiciliary RRTP), and a 36-bed Nursing Home Care Unit. Facility currently operates 12 surgical suites which are shared by all departments. The facility is a fully accredited, tertiary care facility and referral site for other VA's in the greater metropolitan area, with a major teaching program affiliated with the University of New Mexico School Of Medicine. A faculty appointment commensurate with training and experience will also be considered. The selected Ophthalmologist will have Fellowship Training as a Cornea Specialist with at least 1-2 years experience in specialty, and will function as an integral member of the Eye Clinic Team Specialty Clinic and Surgery with clinical and surgical responsibilities; and will specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of the medical and surgical diseases and conditions of the eye, its related structure and visual pathways. Candidate must possess additional training, qualifications and experience in the care and surgical treatment of complex corneal diseases.

• Must be a US Citizen
• Possess Current Active US Medical License
• Residency Trained / Board Certification in Ophthalmology (Board Eligibility Considered)
• Fellowship Training in Corneal Eye Diseases and at least 1-2 years experience in specialty (new grads may be considered)

Community Information:

Albuquerque, known as "The Land of Enchantment", allows you to experience authentic Southwest flavor and culture. As one of the oldest cities in the United States, Albuquerque boasts a unique multicultural history and heritage. Native American, Hispanic & Latino, Anglo and other cultural influences are a part of everyday life. You will always know you're someplace special, whether you're eating at one of our traditional New Mexican restaurants, shopping at one of the thousands of shops and galleries around town, enjoying our world-class visual and performing arts, or playing on the best golf courses in the Southwest. Nowhere is the confluence of past and present more dramatic than here in Albuquerque, where the modern city skyline is set against a backdrop of the stunning Sandia Mountains and an endless, timeless blue sky. Albuquerque’s spectacular weather—with 310 days of sunshine—perfect for outdoor activities, including biking, skiing and hiking. Our incomparable weather and scenery also make Albuquerque the hot air ballooning capital of the world. Balloons dot our clear blue skies throughout the year, revealing a myriad of colors.

Benefits Information:

• The VA supports a healthy work-life-family balance by providing Staff a robust benefits package and fosters an environment of clinical excellence and satisfaction
• Expected salary range  between $275k - $325k annually, depending upon physician's credentials, qualifications and experience, and compensation review process
• Selected candidate may also be considered for the VA’s Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), that could provide up to $200k in loan repayment  
• Paid Time Off in the form of 26 Days paid annual leave, 13 Days paid sick leave per year, 10 Federal holidays with pay, and 1-2 weeks to attend CME courses
• Health-Dental-Vision Care Insurance Programs available with premiums partially paid by the Federal Government; Flexible Spending Accounts; Term life insurance with additional coverage options for family members; and Long-term care insurance.
• Federal Retirement Plan thru the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) defined benefits retirement plan (pension); and a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) defined contributions retirement plan which is like a 401K-type plan that offers up to 5% matching government contributions.

About the VA:

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers Veterans the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the United States. We operate more than 1,400 sites of care, including 153 medical centers, 909 ambulatory and community-based outpatient clinics, 135 nursing homes, 232 Veterans centers, 47 readjustment counseling centers, and 108 comprehensive home-care programs, across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories.

For more information and to discuss your interests:

Please forward copy of your CV and Cover Letter, summarizing your background, education, training, clinical practice, credentials and interests, to Dave Aragon, VA National Healthcare Recruiter, david.aragon@va.gov, or call (702) 675-5761.

The New Mexico VA Health Care System is a tertiary referral center consisting of 184 acute hospital beds, 90 residential rehabilitation treatment program beds and a 36 bed Nursing Home Care Unit. Albuquerque is home to the sole VA hospital in the state but the NMVAHCS operates six (6) VA-staffed Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and five (5) contract CBOCs throughout the State and southern Colorado. Annually, over 44,000 veterans are served and 33,000 hospital days and 500,000 outpatient visits are provided. In addition to its affiliation with the University of New Mexico, NMVAHCS enjoys affiliations with Central New Mexico Community College, Santa Fe Community College and New Mexico State University.

Albuquerque is a major metropolitan area with a population exceeding 600,000. It has mild winters and pleasant summers. Outdoor activities include hiking, skiing, mountain climbing, fishing, hunting, biking, year-round golf and tennis. NMVAHCS is located on a 100 acre campus; is a 217 bed medical, surgical, psychiatric and research and academic facility with Spinal Cord Injury Center and Geriatric and Extended Care Unit; integrated outpatient and inpatient services provided; full range of primary care, tertiary care; referral services; primary referral site for VISN 18, with significant clinical programs in cardiology surgery, gastroenterology, inpatient psychiatry, lithotripsy and others; affiliated with UNM; VA/DOD joint venture with KAFB ambulatory care facility; Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

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