Summary

The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is seeking an experienced and dynamic Physician (Surgical Services) - Associate Chief. The Associate Chief for Surgical Services must possess advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating a high level of professional competency in managing assignments/projects of a broad scope, magnitude and complexity. DEMONSTRATES LEADERSHIP ABILITIES, SUCH AS LEADING SURGICAL TEAMS, MANAGING SURGICAL DEPARTMENTS, OR OVERSEEING SURGICAL PROGRAMS.

Qualifications

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 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 (SURGICAL SERVICE OR SUBSPECTIALTY) 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 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), 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
• 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 or fee-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
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Board Certified in Surgical Service or Subspecialty
• Preferred Experience: 5+ years of managerial experience Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard
• This can be found in the local Human Resources Office
• Physical Requirements: Functional requirements may include walking (2 hours), standing (2 hours), kneeling (2 hours), repeated bending (2 hours), climbing, use of legs and arms, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), emotional and mental stability.

Duties

• 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 The Associate Chief of Surgery directs staff and programs of the Surgical Department
• Works closely with hospital staff, department directors, and physicians to ensure that the highest standards of quality and service are maintained
• Will manage and direct major specialty treatment programs
• Major Duties include, but are not limited to: Diagnose and treat Surgical disorders using the most appropriate techniques in providing quality care
• Work with other physicians within the division in providing high-quality inpatient, outpatient, and emergency room care to Veterans at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center
• Be responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center as appropriate and outcome data as appropriate
• Maintain full clinical privileges as a member of the Medical Staff
• Supervision of developing, planning, clarifying, administering and managing all Surgical Service areas of the Medical Center
• Responsibility for administrative supervision of residents and fellows assigned to programs
• Collaboration with program coordinators and academic affiliation partners is required to provide a successful learning environment
• Administrative Responsibilities Incumbent spends 25% of time managing assigned Surgical Services responsibilities including but is not limited to supervising a variety of providers and administrative positions Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor
• The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs).