Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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 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: Board Certified Primary Care/Family Medicine or Board Eligible 3+ years Primary Care experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45# or more), moderate carrying (up to 45#), reaching above shoulders, use of both hands and legs, use of fingers, prolonged walking and standing, intermittent crawling, kneeling, and bending, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13"
• to 16"
• to Jaeger 1 to 4, far binocular correctable to 20/40, vision, hearing (aide permitted), mental and emotional stability.

Duties

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being
• The Physician position is within the Primary Care Service Line
• Duties include chronic disease management, preventative health care, women's healthcare, and evaluation of episodic acute illness
• The primary care provider is an integral member of the Service Line who may be assigned to GAP coverage or Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT teamlet) based on clinical need and coverage
• Duties as a PACT provider include: Participates in daily huddles with other teamlet staff and participate in primary care systems redesign projects
• Manages a panel of assigned patients under Primary Care Management Model (PCMM) guidelines
• recommended panel size at the division level is calculated based on patient complexity, support staff and room availability
• Each provider's panel size is specific to their practice and setting
• Provides clinical care for the patients on their panel
• This includes management of acute and chronic conditions, medication management, preventative care and management of clinical reminders, timely management of clinical alerts and home care orders, and other needs of the patient
• A primary care provider is expected to assist with coverage of other department member panels as needed do to absences or based on workload
• May have responsibility for supervision of or collaboration with primary care Advanced Practice Providers (APP) providers
• Physicians are expected to provide clinical oversight and to participate in peer review of other primary care providers through periodic chart reviews
• Regularly attends primary care staff meetings, departmental meetings and medical staff meetings
• Maintains timely documentation (notes and encounter forms) in all areas in accordance with facility policy
• All administrative work should be completed in a timely fashion
• Works within privileges at all times and follows the Medical Bylaws
• Follows VHA directives in addition to facility MCPs and SOPs
• GAP responsibilities may include the following: Coverage for PACT Providers (MD/NP/PAs) on leave for short periods or extended periods
• Coverage in Urgent Care as needed
• Telemedicine coverage to the CBOCs
• Provider alert management
• High volume assistance with administrative or clinical coverage
• Resignation/Retirement coverage for PACT provider until recruitment/replacement
• Other duties/needs of the department
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): A recruitment incentive is authorized for highly qualified applicants
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@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 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00 pm (Full-time providers are expected to work a minimum of 80 hours per pay period.)