Physician - Pathologist

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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 one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed.

Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.

Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. (NOTE: VA physicians 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 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA), in the list published for the year the residency, or fellowship if applicable, was completed; OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship, first year of residency, or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States; OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the Physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences.

Exceptions: Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e., not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis.

PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather, they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs.

In rare and unusual circumstances, the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer, who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience, accomplishments, performance, and qualifications warrant such action. Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Additional Requirement: Board certified or board eligible in Anatomic or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Preferred Experience: Additional fellowship training in Cytopathology, Hematopathology or other pathology subspecialties Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center serves as the primary health care provider for more than 151,000 Veterans in southeast Texas. Houston exudes a cosmopolitan and down-home vibe together that lets the residents of the country's fourth-largest city and third-largest county (Harris) know that there's no place quite like Houston. The city attracts visitors and transplants with a wonderful mix of world class arts, booming business, pro sports and award-winning cuisine.

This is an Open Continuous Announcement and may be extended beyond the current closing date until the position is filled. Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals, as additional vacancies occur and/or on an as-needed basis during the duration of the announcement. Once a selection is made and offer is accepted the announcement may close pending no additional vacancies. 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 Major Duties/Responsibilities to include but are not limited to: Participate in Surgical Pathology, Cytopathology, Autopsy services, and/or Clinical Pathology.

Not all pathologists are expected to function in all disciplines. The work assignment will depend upon training, expertise, competency, specialty training and/or certification. Provide support and educational interactions to pathology staff (technicians, transcriptionists, technologists, supervisors, lab managers and administrative staff). Participate in Multidisciplinary on-site interdepartmental conferences such as tumor board etc. as assigned by the Service Chief.

Offsite conferences need to be approved by the service chief first. Provide professional oversight of lab operations (Anatomic and/or Clinical). On-call 24/7 (Anatomic and/or Clinical) as delineated in monthly rotation schedule. Engage in multidisciplinary on-site interdepartmental conferences such as tumor board etc. as assigned by the Service Chief. Provide support and educational interactions to pathology staff, (technicians, transcriptionists, technologists, supervisors, lab managers and administrative staff).

Required to participate in training and supervision of trainees and Residents. Act as surrogates for the pathology cases of their colleagues, when one or more of their colleagues are on leave. Coordinate and collaborate with the MEDVAMC Chief of Pathology to meet the VA mission, to include provision of patient care in the context of a Patient Centered Care model.

Meet turnaround time requirements for surgical, Non-Gyn cytology, Gyn cytology, FNA, autopsy, or other cases as defined by VHA pathology policy and performance measures. Serve on medical center committees representing Pathology as assigned. Alternative or collateral duties may include management of a subsection of pathology lab/sub-section. Any task as designated or delegated by the Chief of Pathology. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm