Podiatrist-Ophthalmologist-Section Chief of Eye Care Services

Podiatrist-Ophthalmologist-Section Chief of Eye Care Services

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): San Antonio, Texas

Salary Range: $200000 - $400000 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located at the North West San Antonio VA Clinic - 9939 State Highway 151, San Antonio, TX 78251. As the Section Chief of Eye Care Services you will provide comprehensive care for patients who have illnesses within the scope of Eye Care. The scope of these activities covers hospitalized patients and all phases of ambulatory care. Other responsibilities may include education of medical students and residents and/or supervision of other staff.

Major Duties:

• In addition to observance of Federal and Local regulatory, policy, and accreditation requirements governing STVHCS, this position encompasses the following examples of responsibilities overseen by the Chief of Eye Care Services: Administration: Leadership Responsibilities: Supervises section staff meetings; communicates down to staff, across to other Section and Service Chiefs and up to Leadership; craft congressional responses if appropriate; creates issue briefs when requested to do so by the Chief of Surgical Services. May serve as Acting Chief of Surgical Services in the absence of the Chief. HR Management/Staff Management: Participates in recruitment as necessary; updates functional statements & position descriptions; provides the information required for physician salary and pay panel documentation; reviews non-VA care documentation; assists with focused and ongoing professional practice evaluation (FPPE/OPPE) reviews on privileged staff; supervises the management of employee 6-part folder and documentation for all subordinate staff; ensures performance appraisals are completed for the Eye Service. Time/Leave Management: Assigns and documents Tours of Duty; supervises approval of leave, timecard certification, and clinic cancellations; ensures continuous clinic coverage. Business Planning/Systems Redesign: Manages service DSS mapping (workload), staffing needs (equipment, IT, supplies, space, etc.); oversee Program Coordinator in preparation of the annual Service Business Plan to be presented to Senior Leadership. Clinic Management including Indirect Patient Care: Monitor open encounters, consult management, and proper CPRS documentation requirements; oversee clinic scheduling & access; ensure staff productivity; oversee relevant performance measures; monitor metrics for utilization, quality, and Patient Safety; participate in process improvement. Supervision: The Chief of Eye Care Services reports directly to the Chief of Surgical Services. The Chief of Eye Care Services has full supervisory authority over staff members who provide clinical and administrative support to Ophthalmology and Optometry Sections. The incumbent is responsible for the daily operation of the section and ensures that agency policies and priorities are followed. Supervisory responsibilities include planning work schedules, assigning work to employees, accepting, amending, or rejecting completed work, and ensuring that production and accuracy requirements are met. Other supervisory responsibilities include developing performance standards and ratings, evaluating work performance, supervising employee leave, and assisting with appropriate disciplinary measures. The incumbent gives advice, counsel, and instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. The incumbent hears and resolves minor complaints from employees and collaborates with labor relations to resolve grievances and serious complaints. The incumbent interviews candidates for positions in the unit; recommends appointments, promotions, and reassignment to unit positions; identifies and provides training needs; implements processes to improve production or increase the quality of work within the area of authority. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday; 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Available; Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications: Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Podiatrist Basic Requirements Education: Degree as a doctor of podiatric medicine, or its equivalent, from a school of podiatric medicine approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Approved schools are United States schools of podiatric medicine approved by the Council on Podiatry Education of the American Podiatry Association in the year in which the degree was granted. ~AND~ Residency Training: Completed, or currently completing, residency training, or its equivalent, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. VA Podiatrists involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status. Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education, the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, in the list published for the year the residency was completed, or (2) Other residencies and training experiences, or their equivalents, which the local Professional Standards Board determines to have provided an applicant with appropriate professional training. ~AND~ Licensure or Registration: Currently hold, or will hold, a full and unrestricted license to practice Podiatry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia. English Language Proficiency: Proficiency in spoken and written English. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Podiatrists appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Additional Requirement: Board Certification: Board certify/Eligible in Ophthalmology Preferred Experience: -Integrated Service Line Leadership Experience leading a combined Ophthalmology and Optometry service within STVHCS, including coordination with ASC and Blind Rehabilitation programs to ensure seamless, high-quality care delivery at all levels of eye care, overseeing a total of sixty personnel. -Strategic Planning and VISN/National Alignment Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic plans aligned with VISN priorities and national VA performance standards, with a focus on sustaining high productivity and access metrics. -Operational Excellence and Access Management Expertise in clinic flow, consult management, and scheduling optimization to improve access, reduced wait times, and maintain efficiency exceeding national benchmarks. -Data-Driven Performance Management Strong ability to analyze workload, productivity, and access data to guide decision-making, improve resource utilization, and enhance veteran care outcomes through OPES Power BI data analysis. -Academic and Workforce Development Experience supporting residency/fellowship programs, student extern training, and recruitment pipelines to sustain a high-performing clinical workforce. Incumbent must be able to staff residents in both the operating room and clinic. -Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Leadership Proven leadership in fostering collaboration between Optometry and Ophthalmology services, promoting a unified culture focused on access, quality, and Veteran-centered care. Grade Determinations: Service Chief, Section Chief or Line Manager: A service chief or line manager podiatrist must demonstrate the following: 1. Outstanding professional ability in the practice of medicine or a medical specialty; and 2. Ability to guide the development and implementation of programs, within their respective domain. These programs would include, but are not limited to, medical practice, professional standards, personnel issues, and quality and performance improvement. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Pre-Employment/Post-Employment Physical Examination: May be required, depending on the needs of the organization.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/20/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12958724. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-20