The Chief of Rheumatology in the Department of Medicine has a broad range of authority with responsibility for the direction and productivity of the clinical rheumatology programs, supervision of the rheumatology section staff, maintaining professional and quality control standards, representing the Medicine Service, and participating in patient care. They serve as clinical authority for professional, licensed, and certified clinical rheumatology staff. 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 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Must be able to physically and mentally perform the duties of Physician under normal and emergent conditions. Moderate lifting 15-44 lbs and over with assistive devices, heavy carrying of 15-44 lbs and over with assistive devices; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, both hands required, walking or standing up to 4 hours per day; repeated bending up to 1-2 hours per day; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination; near vision correctable; hearing aid permitted. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["Duties include but are not limited to: Administrative: Strengthens and facilitates communication among members of the Rheumatology Section and with other Medicine Service supervisors. Reviews and monitors the clinical privileges of Rheumatology staff in consultation with the provider. Recommends disciplinary action for professional staff conduct detrimental to the service and veteran. Provide leadership and oversight of provider coding practices for billing purposes. Establishes and manages a quality assurance/improvement plan for the Rheumatology section in coordination with quality management. Monitors and approves all leaves of absence for Rheumatology staff members. Responsible for completing OPPEs and clinical pertinence reviews for providers within the Rheumatology section. Attend Medical Center Committee meetings which oversee the quality of care and review and approve Rheumatology section policies and procedures. Administers and participates in the Peer Review process. Reviews/resolves patient complaints/grievances and directs modification of the system to diminish and eliminate further complaints/grievances with the assistance of the ACOS/Medicine Service. Acts as a liaison for the medicine service involving Rheumatology matters with outside organizations, including local hospitals, clinics and other appropriate organizations. Responsible for assisting the AO and ACOS with physician/mid-level and other clinical staff recruitment for the medicine section. Helps ensure patient confidentiality and is an advocate for patient rights and responsibilities. Performs other health leadership, management, and clinical duties as required. Ensure that all providers are maintaining continuing medical education adequate to keep knowledge and skills current and to maintain licensure and board certifications. Responsible for monitoring, assigning and coordinating the safety of patient testing, challenges and procedures (SOP). Serves as acting Chief of the Department, as needed. Responsible for educational guidance and supervision for medical students and residents (interns, residents, and/or fellows) assigned to Rheumatology according to the standards outlined in Center Policy Memorandum, 11-4, \"Supervision of Postgraduate Residents\". Participates in and attends medical center committees and/or teams as assigned by the Chief Medicine Service and in his/her absence. Participates in various facility programs designed to enhance and improve the delivery of patient care services, such as Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) teams, as assigned by Chief, Medicine Service. Demonstrates commitment to high-quality customer service, including specific measures identified as performance goals by the Medical Center. Identifies individual professional learning needs and participates in formal programs, workshops, seminars, conferences, as well as self-directed learning activities, completes facility-wide mandatory education yearly. Adheres to all information security and privacy measures set by VHA and the Medical Center. Clinical: Clinically and administratively directs and supervises the clinical Rheumatology staff. Responsible for ensuring that high-quality medical care is consistently provided in the Rheumatology outpatient clinics and inpatient consults. Responsible for developing, monitoring, and enforcing clinical practice standards, policies and procedures for Rheumatology providers. a) Maintains clinical privileges in the areas of his/her expertise and in all areas required to carry out the duties of his/her assignments/responsibilities within Medicine Services. b) Demonstrate sound decision-making skills, both clinical and administrative, which bring credit to the profession and serve to enhance the distinctive and contributory role of physicians. c) Facilitate the delivery of appropriate patient care in collaboration with other health professionals, medical center staff, and management. d) Participates as a peer reviewer process when requested. e) Exhibits leadership in initiating changes in patient care programs based on current concepts and finding from research and studies. Keeps informed of developments in the management and treatment of diseases and illness through continuing medical education, both formal and informal. f) Completes all medical record documentation in CPRS in a timely manner, including view alerts and encounter completion. g) Includes patient/family/significant other/health care provider in establishing realistic, measurable goals related to health education and treatment plan and in planning care on a continuum; assists staff in the process of mutual goal setting. h) Demonstrates skill in the implementation of clinical practice guidelines and protocols for patients with complex medical care needs. i) Documents administrative and clinical information in a thorough and accurate manner."]

Return to Search Results