North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health Care System's Specialty Care Service is searching for a full-time Cardiologist with an emphasis on heart failure. This position is a dual appointment with the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Florida (UF) and is primarily based at the VA. Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards, as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. 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 of Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology 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. Board Certified in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Additional Requirement: Adjunct faculty position at the University of Florida is also expected. Preferred Experience: Training/experience in Heart Failure is preferred. 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: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019. This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health. This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs., carrying objects up to 15 lbs., frequent reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, hands and legs, use of cranes and motor vehicles, walking & standing up to 8 hours, bending and climbing and able to hear whisper. The incumbent must be physically, emotionally and mentally stable in order to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others. ["This is an open continuous announcement that will remain open until filled. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Eligible applicants will be referred each week for consideration until a selection is made. 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 Cardiologist with an emphasis on heart failure will have training and experience managing advanced heart failure patients. The Physician participates in inpatient and outpatient quality care, teaching, and research related to cardiovascular diseases. Candidate will have experience and training in novel advanced pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic heart failure treatment modalities. Candidate will apply national and VA guidelines to patient screening, surveillance and management of cardiovascular diseases. Position requires candidate to work as an attending physician, responsible for supervising the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Florida (UF) trainees-Internal Medicine residents and Cardiology fellows. A summary of the duties is mentioned below but not limited to: Prescribes appropriate treatments, supervise, teach and provide consultation to other health care providers (nurse practitioners, medical students and residents rotating through cardiology service and cardiology fellows). Provides consultations to the medical and support staff on cardiology issues when needed Attends Cardiology Inpatient CCU and consult Service, outpatient clinics, EKG, Stress EKG, and performs other procedures as appropriate; attends staff meetings; performance of chart reviews; coordinates with other providers regarding patient care issues; documents electronic health record; performs history and physicals within 24 hours of request; performs outpatient encounters; documents consult notes; and processes new and renewal prescriptions Performs echocardiography, right heart catheterizations, exercise and pharmacologic stress testing, Holter monitor and electrocardiogram interpretation, diagnosis and management of arrhythmias and Ischemic Heart Disease Able to identify and assist with work up of pre- and post- LVAD and heart transplant evaluations Co-manage post-heart transplant and post-LVAD patients with other VA and community hospitals Takes an active role in education and in the evaluation of the patient, deciding treatment/care options Serves on service level and/or facility committees as needed and participates in the facility peer review program Maintains professional competency, courtesy and flexibility to provide the necessary services of this specialty to our Veteran population Participates in the expanded use of clinical video telehealth (VVC and CVT)/electronic consultation (e-Consult) to improve access to cardiology care May serve on committees, participates in quality assurance programs, assist facility in meeting established performance measures in the areas of Cardiology and such other duties assigned by the Chief of Medicine Works closely with all staff to ensure compliance with National, Network, and local performance standards 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)."]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
