This position is located in the Section of Ophthalmology under the Clinical Directorate of Surgical Services at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, Illinois. FHCC is larger than just a single facility, but rather a system of facilities throughout Northeastern Illinois which provide medical and dental services to U.S. Military Active Duty, Recruits, Veterans, and eligible beneficiaries.
The Section Chief of Ophthalmology reports to the Clinical Director of Surgical Services and oversees all operations and staff within the Section. The incumbent supervises all clinical providers, serves as primary point of contact, and provides training, documentation, workflow guidance, and clinical system optimization.
The Chief ensures clinical quality and service standards, collaborates with hospital/department leaders, and acts as liaison among staff, IT, and other departments. Responsibilities include organizational projects, committees, and initiatives to support Section and facility needs. Duties include: Developing vision, mission, and strategic goals for the Section.
Overseeing administrative and clinical supervision of Section staff, ensuring high-quality, efficient care aligned with VA, DoD, and relevant external standards. Providing comprehensive patient care (outpatient & inpatient) using Oracle-Cerner EMR, documenting all encounters appropriately, monitoring open encounter and open consult management reports.
.Conducting admissions, histories, physicals, discharge summaries, rounds, AIMS evaluations, and attending relevant clinical meetings. Supporting program managers on planning, operations, HR, budget, equipment, environmental issues, process improvement, and patient advocacy. Representing the Section in business outside Ophthalmology. Sharing in clinical coverage, including on-call and after-hours care, ensuring 24/7 coverage.
Balancing clinical, OR, and administrative duties according to facility and national labor mapping standards. Participating in all aspects of Ophthalmology programs, program development, privilege delineation, and credentialing. Developing and reviewing Section policies, regulatory compliance, data review, and quality improvement projects. Addressing patient and safety concerns, responding to complaints and event reports, working with the Quality Office for improvements.
Cross-covering patient care for colleagues as necessary. Managing reporting staff, including evaluations, proficiency reports, discipline, and credentialing. Serving as Acting Clinical Director as needed. Pursuing and supporting teaching/academic missions in coordination with affiliated university teaching program, including resident supervision and student education. Clinical responsibilities: Assess, diagnose, develop treatment for eye/ocular adnexa conditions.
Perform medical/surgical eye procedures, laser/cryo surgeries. Expected surgical volume of 350-400 cataracts per year. Additionally, corneal vitreoretinal, oculoplastic and glaucoma subspeciality surgeries and procedures are performed. Support development of a regional Center of Excellence for refractive surgery/corneal cross-linking. Collaborate with other specialists; manage vision-affecting medical disorders.
Educate patients/families, document care, participate in call schedules, and maintain hospital privileges. Support the facility's readiness mission for military and veteran patients. Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills are essential. The Section Chief collaborates with an interdisciplinary team, supports provider and staff development, and participates in committees and process improvements.
Academic appointment and teaching commitments with the academic affiliate, the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is encouraged and expected. The position supports multi-site care, facilities, and maintains high standards of care, compliance, and readiness.
Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm; daily work hours may vary due to patient care needs and are bound by VHA Title 38 regulations. As a Section Chief of Ophthalmology, the candidate with work as equally clinical partner with the existing Ophthalmology team, responsible to create, publish and share equally in the on-call schedule to ensure the facility has 24/7 coverage for Ophthalmic Surgery.
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 VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
VHA Physician Total Rewards.
Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are: Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted.
Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for the year in which the degree was granted. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, confirmation must be made that the medical school meets (or met) Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) eligibility requirement for year graduated.
NOTE: The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities.
The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.
andrea.bell2@va.gov · (210) 992-2377
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $250000 – $400000/yr.
Applications close on 2026-09-30.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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