Transplant Infectious Disease (TID) specialists concern themselves with the study and treatment of diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms in immunocompromised hosts. They assist in the management of patients with serious, life threatening infections such as tuberculosis, endocarditis, meningitis, osteomyelitis, invasive fungal infections and other unusual infections of the immunocompromised hosts, including organ and stem cell transplant recipients. 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. Must qualify for an appointment as a faculty member in the Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center or Meharry Medical College. Must have advanced fellowship training in TID and/or management of immunocompromised hosts including organ and stem cell transplant recipients. Preferred Experience: Must be/or be eligible to be Board Certified in Infectious Diseases. Have documented experience supervising and teaching medical students, residents and fellows. Have experience and publications in either basic or clinic research. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting (15-25 lbs); Moderate Carrying (15-25 lbs); Straight Pulling {up to 2-3 hours); Pushing (up to 2-3 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Walking (up to 1-2 hours); Kneeling (up to 1 -2 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 to 2 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable; Far vision correctable; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted). ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. 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). Part-Time Employees: Annual leave shall accrue for part-time employees at a rate of 1 hour for each 10 hours in a pay status. Sick leave shall accrue for part-time employees at the rate of 1 hours for each 20 hours in a pay status. 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 Scope of Duties: Supervision of the administration of intravenous antibiotics to outpatients who require them. Specific procedures performed by TID specialists are generally the same as those performed by general internal medicine physicians with the addition of certain procedures such as lumbar punctures, aspiration of superficial abscesses, arthrocentesis, and interpretation of gram stain. TID specialists may also be responsible for leading or participating in the Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs of the VA facility, implementing policies to reduce the rates of nosocomial infections and antimicrobial utilization. In addition, the position entails a combined physician appointment in the Infectious Disease Section of the VA TN Valley Health System and with the Division of Infectious Disease at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville Campus) or with Meharry Medical College (Mufreesboro/Alvin C. York Campus). Physician will provide specialty infections disease treatment, see patients referred to the infectious disease section in an outpatient setting, and perform inpatient infectious disease consult services. As a staff infectious disease specialist he/she has no supervisory responsibilities for other attending physicians, but may function as preceptor for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, fellows, residents, and medical students as assigned by TVHS. Utilize MS Word or comparable word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files, activating printers, inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports and memoranda, and transmitting and receiving e-mail. Uses MS Excel or other comparable spreadsheet software to develop and change spreadsheets in order to graphically display data. Uses MS Access or other comparable spreadsheet software to develop and changes spreadsheets in order to graphically display data monthly. Uses MS PowerPoint or other comparable graphics to develop presentation materials. Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans or their representatives), visitors and all VA staff in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner. The physician will provide the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures and will handle conflicts and problems when dealing with customers constructively and appropriately. Work Schedule: M-F (TBD)"]
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.