Physician (MD/DO) - Primary Care Section Chief - SIGN ON BONUS

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

3 Years Primary Care, 1 Year Supervising Physician Leadership Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

03Physical Requirements

Heavy Lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours); Pushing (1 - 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 4 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted).

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): May be available for highly qualified candidates. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP Participants are ineligible to apply.

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 Duties of the Primary Care Section Chief: Plan and conduct monthly Section meetings with team staff.

Attend required Section Chief meetings with the Chief of Primary Care Monitoring overall performance of GIM/Primary Care staff providers and provide performance improvement opportunities and/or interventions as appropriate. This includes but is not limited to performing Peer Reviews, FPPE/OPPEs and ensuring the Provider Activity Report (PAR) tool reflects appropriate data. Collaborate with the Chief of Primary Care to ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained and well qualified staff is recruited.

Maintain an up-to-date schedule which provides appropriate coverage within their Primary Care Clinic. Responsible for the oversight of all aspects of medical care delivered to patients under their care. Provide or assist residents, medical students and/or nurse practitioners in the process of evaluation and treatment of the primary care patient, and actively participate in corrective actions against untoward responses to GIM therapies/treatments.

Evaluate the patient to assess changes in the physical and mental status during their course of illness/primary care clinic visit. A thorough Primary Care note, with the appropriate level of detail and consent, will be entered into the medical record along with an assessment and plan for acute and ongoing care as well as consult referral and related planning. A clinic/progress note is written in the patient's chart as indicated.

Notes also include the concurrence with notes written by the resident or medical student, and other consulting service notes as appropriate, in a manner consistent with the VA guidelines for resident, student, and trainee supervision. Ensure all GIM/Primary Care orders are reviewed and signed off before departing the hospital daily. Perform outpatient primary care evaluations and treatment, as well as provide consultative services to non-medicine services in a timely manner.

During scheduled tour hours, the incumbent will be available for all urgent assessments and interventions as part of the PACT care team. Maintain appropriate credentials and privileges Participate in various hospital committees, Medicine Service and hospital in-service programs, and education programs of the Medicine Service and the hospital. Assist with the enforcement of VA TMS and BLS requirements pertaining to GIM/Primary Care staff physicians.

Engage in continuous quality improvement by participating in the VA peer review process Responsible for graduate and undergraduate medical education and scientific research, as appropriate Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm