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 4 months of appointment. Program approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (1-5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are 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
• Board certification in a relevant specialty
• Excellent leadership - communication - and collaboration skills
• Commitment to the mission of the Veterans Administration and improving the health and well-being of veterans
• 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: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over)
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers
• walking (3 hours per day)
• standing (6 hours per day)
• kneeling (2 hours per day)
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• Administrative: Serves as acting chief of the service (if appropriate) - as needed
• Provides guidance and support to the nurse practitioners assigned to Medicine Service in their respective areas of expertise
• Provides guidance and supervision for the medical students and residents (interns - residents - and/or fellows) assigned to Medicine Service/subspecialty services and clinics according to the standards outlined in Center Policy Memorandum - 11-4 - \"Supervision of Postgraduate Residents -\" when assigned to do so by the Chief - Medicine Service
• Participates in and attends medical center committees and/or teams as assigned by the Chief - Medicine Service and in his/her absence or absence of their respective Section Chief
• Participates in various facility programs designed to enhance and improve the delivery of patient care services - such as Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) teams - as assigned by Chief - Medicine Service
• Demonstrates commitment to high quality customer service - including specific measures identified as performance goals by the Medical Center
• Adheres to all information security and privacy measures set by VHA and the Medical Center
• Annually develops and evaluates professional and personal goals
• Identifies individual professional learning needs and participates in formal programs - workshops - seminars - conferences - as well as self-directed learning activities - completes facility wide mandatory education yearly Clinical Duties: The incumbent is expected to remain privileged and practicing in their specialty field
• The exact privileges and procedures for a particular provider will be approved by the Professional Standards Board
• All physicians must meet the following qualifications: Patient Care: Practitioners are expected to provide patient care that is compassionate - appropriate - and effective for the promotion of health - prevention of illness - treatment of disease - and care at the end of life
• Medical/Clinical Knowledge: Practitioners are expected to demonstrate knowledge of established evolving biomedical - clinical and social sciences and the application of that knowledge to patient care and the education of others
• EP/implantable cardiac device interrogation certification being preferred
• Clinical Judgement: To ensure practice-based learning and improvement - practitioners are expected to be able to use scientific evidence and methods to investigate - evaluate - and improve patient care
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Practitioners are expected to demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that enable them to establish and maintain professional relationships with patients - families - and other members of the healthcare team
• Professionalism: Practitioners are expected to demonstrate behaviors that reflect commitment to continuous professional development - ethical practice - and a responsible attitude toward patients and the profession
• Systems-Based Practice: Practitioners are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the contexts and systems in which healthcare is provided - and an ability to apply this knowledge to improve optimizing health.