Career Center

Summary

The El Paso VA Health Care System is seeking a Physician (Pulomonologist) to provide patient care for patients who have illnesses within the scope of pulmonology. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

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
• 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
• License: 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: Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Board-Certified/Board Eligible in Pulmonology Experience as a physician - working in multi-disciplinary teams - with privileges at an outpatient clinic or hospital
• Ability to identify the severity of pulmonary impairment
• Responsible for treating and managing pulmonary conditions
• 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: Light lifting - under 15 pounds
• Light carrying - under 15 pounds
• Walking (1 hr)
• Standing (1 hr)
• Repeated bending (0.25 hrs)
• Climbing - legs only (1 hr)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Both eyes required
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid may be permitted)
• Mental and emotional stability.

Duties

• The Pulmonologist will function and manage the diagnosis of Chronic shortness of breath - Asthma - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - Restrictive lung disease - preoperative testing - impairment or disability and early morning wheezing
• Duties include - but are not limited to - the following: Examinations: Evaluates patients by examining thoroughly
• appropriate clinical - laboratory and other pertinent data is obtained to determine care the patient is provided
• Diagnosis: lnterprets and evaluates clinical data for the purpose of determining diagnosis and clinical status
• Therapeutic Ability: Prescribes appropriate and timely treatment
• applies indicated therapeutic procedures
• recognizes and assesses changes in behavior - symptoms - signs - and other pertinent facts about the patient and modifies plan of treatment when indicated
• Recognizes own capabilities and limitations
• Effectiveness in Emergencies: Recognizes emergency situations and takes timely necessary action
• Maintains active certification in BLS - ACLS - or both as required by facility Bylaws
• Patient Management: Develops and maintains rapport and gains the confidence of patients and relatives through competence and interpersonal skills to the end that patients and others are informed participants in the treatment effort
• Consultations and Specialty Skills: Recognizes the need for consultation and utilizing facility or clinic specialty skills in diagnosis and treatment
• Responds to inpatient/outpatient consultations in a timely manner - documents consultations according to procedure and is actively engaged with the primary team or clinician in collaborating on the patient's care and management
• Record Keeping: Records the History/Physical and other examinations and changes in patient's status promptly
• Unusual incidents are promptly reported to the appropriate official
• Clear - accurate - and adequate clinical records are kept current and completed at time of discharge
• The treatment plan is clearly stated
• Encounters: All encounters to be completed daily by physician as this affects hospital funding
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m
• - 4:45 p.m.) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Authorized - see details in \"Education Section\" 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