Summary

The Central Texas Veterans Health Care System - Temple. Texas is currently recruiting for two (2) Ambuatory Care Physicians to provide primary care to a diverse group of Veteran patients for the facilities location in Temple - Texas. 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 allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine
• The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Licensure and Registration: 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: Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) - b) OR Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) -OR 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
• Physical Requirements: See outlined below
• English Language Proficiency
• Physicians appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7402(d) and 7407(d)
• Preferred Experience: Board Certified/Board Eligible in Internal/Family Medicine or Subspecialty
• Three - five years of proessional supervisory and leadership experience - preferably VA Knowledge of regulations and preparation for accrediation surverys - i.e
• Joint Commission - OIG - etc
• Teaching experience
• 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: Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds
• Moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (4-8hrs)
• Standing (4-8hrs)
• Both legs required
• 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 permitted)
• Mental and emotional stability.

Duties

• The Ambulatory Care physicians will be responsible for delivery of outpatient primary care to patients enrolled in CTVHCS
• The physician and Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) will manage a panel of patients
• Panel size is determined by VHA guidelines which take into consideration the complexity of the patient panel - available support staff - number of treatment rooms - etc
• Each physician's panel size is specific to their practice and setting
• The PACT Model is a patient-driven - team-based approach that delivers efficient - comprehensive - and continuous care through active communication and coordination of healthcare services through an interdisciplinary team that includes the PCP - RN care manager - LVN - clerical associate as well as other clinical services necessary to meet the health goals and needs of the Veteran patient including specialists
• While the primary care physician's relationship with the Veteran patient will remain key - that bond will be augmented and strengthened by involving other health care staff as part of an integrated team
• Together the team takes responsibility for the Veteran patient's ongoing care through a cooperative effort among all members
• As a member of the team - the Veteran patient is an active participant in decisions while being provided information and encouragement to exercise ownership of his/her health
• The Veteran patient - with support from other members of the team - becomes engaged in his or her health care - ensuring the health care system best serves his/her individual needs
• Alternative or collateral duties may include management of a subsection of primary care patients - the subsection may be defined either by a disease status - or demographic status (e.g. - women veterans - OIF/OEF veterans - employees - etc.)
• Typically - these duties are designated at the time of joining but occasionally during employment - participation in special projects pertinent to assigned section may be necessary as the projects become available through strategic or other initiatives
• Physicians may be assigned duty as a supervising or collaborating physician for one or more mid-level providers
• Physicians are expected to provide clinical oversight and review the care provided by mid-level practitioners
• A progress note must be entered within 24 hours of the patient encounter
• Timely documentation is necessary in all areas in accordance with departmental policy
• All administrative work should be completed in a timely fashion
• Prohibited abbreviations should not be used
• Clinical reminders should be addressed as medically appropriate
• Quality of care should be able to always meet professional standards
• All physicians will always work within their privileges - unless necessitated by an emergency
• Most physicians will need to act as surrogates for the patients of their colleagues - when one or more of their colleagues are on leave
• If patient needs arise - the Incumbent may be reassigned within the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m
• - 4:30 p.m.) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Education Debt Reduction Program: 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