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. Additional Requirement: Board Certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. 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: Applicants must meet physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required. This is a designated drug testing position. After appointment, you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Requires lifting 15-44 pounds; pushing (approx. 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers and both hands; walking and standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Hearing aid is permitted. ["**This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be April 19, 2024 with subsequent cut-off dates every 2 weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.** VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm 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 Northern California Healthcare System (NCHCS): The Northern California Healthcare System serves veteran patients across Northern to Central California at 13 care facilities and 10 community-based outpatient clinics. The Hospice and Palliative Care Section within this system provides comprehensive Palliative Care Consultations within the Sacramento VA Medical Center Acute Care Hospital and through outpatient clinics housed within the Sacramento VA Outpatient Clinic, the Martinez VA Outpatient Clinic, and the Stockton VA Outpatient Clinic. The Hospice and Palliative Care Section also services a 16-bed inpatient hospice unit at the Martinez Community Living Center. The Hospice & Palliative care (HPC) medical director works under and reports to the ACOS for Geriatrics & Extended Care (GEC) and serves as a member of the Geriatrics & Extended Care Medical Staff and of the GEC Oversight Committee, attending assigned meetings, helping to assure adherence to its bylaws, rules, and regulations. The major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Participates in establishing and maintaining policies, procedures and guidelines designed to assure provision of adequate, comprehensive, and timely services to Hospice & Palliative care programs throughout the NCHCS. Monitors and evaluates the quality of medical services as an integral part of the overall quality assessments and improvement program and assuring compliance with JC and Long-Term Care Institute (LTCI) requirements, as they pertain to Hospice and Palliative care. Provides clinical and administrative oversight to ensure the adequacy and appropriateness of the medical care provided to patients in HPC programs throughout the NCHCS. Works collaboratively with the HPC Program Coordinator to formulate program-specific report cards and performance measures and to assist in the analyses and completion of action plans specific to palliative care programs. Works with the HPC Program Coordinator to liaison with VISN and National HPC leadership. In conjunction with the HPC Program Coordinator, chairs the Hospice and Palliative Care Subcommittee. Oversees and directly supervises an interdisciplinary team of staff, including but not limited to physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and administrative support assistants. Works to timely address and complete appropriate suspense's, patient advocacy concerns, White House and Congressional inquiries, and OIG requests. Conducts focused and ongoing peer evaluations for staff, participates in Peer Review inquiries, and completes staff performance evaluations. Coordinates clinical coverage and call responsibilities for HPC programs. Mentors and provides orientation to new employees joining the Palliative Care Section. Serves as HPC consultant as necessary to the providers throughout GEC programs. Participates in educational didactics both formally and informally for HPC fellows and other trainees. Provides comprehensive palliative care consultations and/or hospice services through the role of HPC Attending physician."]
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.
