The Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center, located in Saginaw, Michigan, is recruiting for a Physician (Cardiologist). This Cardiology position will function in our Specialty Care Service and requires extensive knowledge of the principles, techniques and practices in the field of Cardiology. 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. Education: 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. Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted, OR Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association for the year in which the degree was granted. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, facility officials must verify with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) that the applicant has met requirements for certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. [If the applicant does not claim an ECFMG certificate, facility officials must still confirm that the medical school meets (or met) ECFMG eligibility requirements for the year the candidate graduated.] Licensure: 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. English Language Proficiency: Physicians appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7402(d) and 7407(d). Grandfathering. 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the occupation at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees are considered to have met the basic qualification requirements for the purposes of transferring or reassignment to another physician position within VA. (2) Employees who were appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) If a physician who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation or VA employment, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry or reemployment. Preferred Experience: Board Certified or Board Eligible in Specialty 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: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects. This could include moving objects such as pieces of equipment and assistance in moving clients. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities needed in this position: Ability to manage disorders of the heart (includes medical diagnosis & treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease) with competencies including cardiology consultation, ECG, Holter interpretation, Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE), Exercise Stress Testing, Nuclear stress testing & Transthoracic Echocardiogram interpretation. Diagnose, treat, and manage patients with cardiac diseases according to standard, usual, and acceptable methods, and techniques. Will provide services, such as, outpatient examinations, consultation services related to cardiology, management of patients with current treatment regiment, and admission status as necessary. May be asked to participate in facility special projects and teach Medical Residents s from Central Michigan University College of Medicine and other facility affiliates as well as other Clinical Programs. Keep abreast of current research and incorporate relevant findings into specific areas of clinical practice. Develop and maintain effective working relationship with professional staff, local officials, and the public. Communicate clearly and in a supportive manner with patients and or family regarding condition, prognosis, health needs and available services. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Duties include, but are not limited to: Effectively identifies, evaluates, and addresses cardiac diseases, prevention, and health promotion issues of the Veteran population. Works in an independent and interdependent relationship with members of the medical staff, which allows for consultation, collaboration, or referral. Responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of acute, chronic, and long-term cardiac healthcare issues. Recognizes abnormalities and provides services and treatment as directed by protocols and makes referrals to other disciplines and services as indicated. Educates patients about preventative care, medical issues, and use of prescribed medical treatments to enhance awareness of health issues and relevant services. Fulfills continuing education, licensure and or Certification requirements to maintain required qualifications. May be asked to participate in facility special projects and teach Medical Residents from Central Michigan University College of Medicine and other facility affiliates as well as other Clinical Programs. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Recruitment Incentive: Authorized 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 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm"]
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.
