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: Must be board eligible Cardio Thoracic/Vascular Surgeon Preferred Experience: Board Certified in Cardio Thoracic/Vascular Surgery is preferred but not required. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Candidates must successfully complete a pre-employment physical. Position requires standing for extended periods, use of fingers and both hands, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4; ability to distinguish basic colors, emotional and mental stability. Hearing aid is permitted. Incumbents may experience exposure to blood and body fluids.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF CARDIO THORACIC SURGEON INCLUDE: Provide exams, evaluations, diagnoses, treatment, and surgical procedures for patients with complex issues related to heart disease, lung cancer, heart defects, esophagus, and other thoracic disorders. Exhibit a detailed knowledge of cardiorespiratory physiology to provide patient education on treatment options and on lifestyle changes post-surgery. Provide review and interpretation of imaging studies such as echocardiograms, angiograms, and CT scans to identify the specific anatomical abnormalities and recommend surgical intervention. Demonstrate professional and respectful communication skills to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of cardiologists, anesthesiologists, and other surgical specialists, to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Possess specialized skills to perform procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair or replacement, lung resection for cancer or other pulmonary diseases, and repair of congenital heart defects. Utilize advanced surgical techniques as invasive and robotic-assisted procedures, to minimize surgical trauma and improve patient recovery. Oversee the surgical team, coordinate with anesthesiologists to ensure patients' safety, perform precise surgical maneuvers, monitor patients' vital signs, and make real-time decisions to address any unexpected complications during surgery. Provide comprehensive postoperative care and education for patients' recovery, manage any complications, collaborate with critical care specialists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to optimize patients' recovery. This position requires participation in on call rotations and requires performance of all duties requested during the on call rotation. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Recruitment Incentive is authorized. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 Work Schedule: Part Time; 20 hours per pay period.