Physician-Occupational Health Service Chief

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.

01Basic 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.

02Preferred Experience

Medical Review Officer Note: In the event the selected candidate does not possess the certification at the time of selection, they will have 30 days to obtain it. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

03Physical Requirements

This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. Potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.

May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

Must be physically, emotionally and mentally competent and able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to yourself or others.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. II. Clinical Responsibilities (60%) The Occupational Health Service Chief is authorized to perform, supervise, and/or direct the following: A.

Employee Clinical Evaluations -Pre-placement and onboarding medical examinations. -Fitness-for-Duty assessments and return-to-work determinations. -Evaluation and management of occupational injuries or exposures. -Work-related illness assessment and clinical decision-making. -Clearance for respirator use, OSHA-mandated surveillance, and other job-specific evaluations. B.

Medical Surveillance & Compliance Programs -Lead and manage OSHA-required medical surveillance (respirator, asbestos, blood borne pathogens, hearing, chemical exposures, etc.). -Oversee immunization programs (influenza, hepatitis B, COVID-19, etc.). -Direct tuberculosis screening programs and infectious disease containment protocols. -Maintain compliance with VA, federal, and accrediting body standards. C.

Employee Health Management -Provide confidential medical guidance for employees regarding occupational health conditions. -Participate in reasonable accommodation medical assessments. -Oversee medical aspects of Workers' Compensation cases. -Coordinate emergency response and disaster preparedness medical support. -Order diagnostic tests relevant to occupational conditions. -Prescribe medications appropriate for occupational health evaluation and treatment. -Initiate referrals for specialty care when clinically indicated. -Perform procedures such as immunizations, PPD placement/reading, arthrocentesis if trained, and other standard occupational-health-related clinical procedures. -Clinical practice is limited to occupational health and related medical oversight.

The Chief does not serve as a primary care provider for non-occupational medical conditions unless explicitly assigned by facility leadership. III.

Administrative Responsibilities (40%)The Occupational Health Service Chief is responsible for: -Direct oversight of all Occupational Health operations and staff. -Ensuring compliance with VA Handbook 5019 policies and updates. -Developing and implementing internal EOH policies and clinical procedures. -Maintaining accurate medical documentation and regulatory reporting. -Collaborating with Human Resources, Safety, Infection Control, and Facility Leadership. -Maintain regulatory compliance, accreditation readiness, and documentation standards. -Ensure timely evaluation of employees and efficient service delivery. -Uphold confidentiality and HIPAA standards in all employee medical interactions. -Foster a culture of safety, prevention, employee wellness, and professional integrity. -Leading and contributing to committees such as: Infection Control, Bloodborne Pathogens, Accident Review Board, Environment of Care, Reasonable Accommodation Committe, Emergency Preparedness Groups Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm