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. 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. Preferred Experience: 5 years experience of laboratory management and supervision. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: All applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the duties of the position. The selected candidate should be physically and mentally capable to perform the duties of the position. Physical activity includes sitting, standing (up to 2 hours), walking (up to 2 hours), bending and reaching. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact David.Billingsleyjt@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 Assistant Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medical Service (PLMS) has the following responsibilities: Directly or indirectly, supervises all individuals in the PLMS. In the absence of the Service Chief, the Assistant Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Service assumes all supervisory duties to ensure continuity of care. Is directly responsible oversight of Clinical Pathology Services to include clinical chemistry, molecular pathology, hematology, microbiology, coagulation medicine, and blood bank for the PLMS. Completes, or supervises completion of, interim and annual performance appraisals on all individuals on the PLMS ORG chart. Participates in the new employee Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) process, and in the Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE) process. Participates in the FPPE for cause process if required. Serves as a permanent member of the Procedure, Tissue, and Transfusion Quality Review Committee, and may often serve as chair of this committee. Maintains familiarity with and understanding of the VA directives and rules regarding pathological analysis of laboratory specimens as well as those related to operation of blood and specimen testing laboratories, blood banking, microbiology and associated disciplines, plus all safety requirements related to PLMS. Participates in VISN19 Pathology Group activities, reporting critical incidents and other required information to the VISN Chief Pathology Consultant. Organizes and co-chairs monthly Pathology Staff meetings. Participates in facility High Reliability Organization (HRO) activities. Participates in selected committees as designated by the Chief, PLMS (e.g. Peer Review Committee, Electronic Health Records Committee, Medical Executive Council, etc.) Monitors and manages timely PLMS test result reporting. Focuses efforts of entire PLMS staff to provide highest possible quality service at all times. In coordination with the Chief, PLMS, ensures that all laboratory results reporting is completed timely with results communicated accurately and timely based on Directive and clinical compelling nature. Adheres to the Medical Staff Bylaws, policies, procedures, and SOPs of this facility. Cooperates with other members of the medical staff to achieve high quality whole health patient care. Participates in academic activities and presentations, both within and outside the medical center Reports outcomes that he/she believes did not meet acceptable standards to the Chief of Staff. Work Schedule: Full time; Mon - Fri 7:30am to 4:00pm"]
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.