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. 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 Surgery Preferred Experience: Possess experience and expertise in administrative medicine including Executive Orders, VA and VHA orders. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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 ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until January 10th, 2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 11/12/2024, 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: Full-time, 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 The Chief of Surgical Service reports directly to the Chief of Staff (COS) and is an actively practicing surgeon or surgical specialty physician. The Chief of Surgery will support the COS in carrying out the VA mission and ensure compliance with VA and facility directives. The Chief of Surgery will be responsible for all clinical and administrative requirements within the service. The incumbent will ensure representation of the surgical service at meetings to meet facility, VISN, or National objectives. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Strong leadership abilities in both clinical and administrative aspects of surgical care. Ensure the Development and implementation of a comprehensive healthcare delivery system in coordination with the VHA Mission. Identify and address opportunities to improve patient care within the facility; Maintain a collaborative partnership with all other service chiefs, VACCHCS and VISN leadership. Oversight of the various sections within the service and ensure they are compliant with VHA policy. Maintain privileges and practice in his/her specialty field. Participate in surgical call coverage for consultation and patient care. Ensure high quality patient care is delivered in a resource efficient manner. Promote the development of healthcare professionals within the service. Participate in the selection of qualified professional staff and ensure that recruitment and hiring meets VA and academic affiliation requirements. Knowledgeable in the functioning of residency and allied health educational programs within the service. Schedule and participate in monthly staff meetings. Ensure appropriate systems are in place to review, analyze, and evaluate patient care activities. Monitor and tracking performance measures under Surgical Services scope of practice. Monitor and ensure each section's staff are in compliance with VA, and other accrediting bodies as well as all other pertinent regulations/policies as appropriate. Provide consultation and facilitate disposition of surgical care for our patients. Demonstrate the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers. Maintain the confidentiality of patient/employee information, and to function and work in a safe manner. Knowledge of changes associated with ageing and principles of human growth and development possess the ability to assess and interpret patient data. Ability to identify age-specific needs such as incorporating age specific factors, and needs into patient care activities. Other Duties as assigned."]
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.
