Podiatric surgeons are medical specialists dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and preventing conditions and injuries related to the foot, ankle, and lower extremities. As experts in their field, they possess extensive knowledge of both surgical and non-surgical treatments to aid patients in achieving optimal mobility and quality of life.
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. Podiatrist Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Candidates must be a United States citizen. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens). Education: Applicants must possess a doctor of podiatric medicine degree, or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in podiatric medicine and surgery. 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. Approved schools are United States schools of podiatric medicine and surgery, approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatry Medical Association in the year in which the degree was granted. Licensure or Registration: Applicants must possess a 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. The podiatrist must maintain current registration in the state of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active, current licensure. Residency Training: Podiatrists must have completed residency training, or its equivalent, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. VA Podiatrists involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status. Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education, the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, in the list published for the year the residency was completed, or (2) Other residencies and training experiences, or their equivalents, which the local Professional Standards Board determines to have provided an applicant with appropriate professional training. English Language Proficiency: Podiatrists appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English Preferred Experience: Podiatric surgeon preferred (forefoot, rearfoot/ankle, etc.) Board Certification/Eligibility: Board Certified or Board Eligible in Rearfoot and Reconstructive surgery References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-4 Podiatrist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Straight pulling; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking Standing Repeated bending Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; 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 color; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional / Mental stability under stress; Typing/ computer work. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Duties include, but are not limited to: Board Certification/Eligibility: Board Certified or Board Eligible Biomedical Evaluation of the Lower Extremities to assist in the management of Pathology by controlling the contribution of abnormal gait and foot functions to the patients' symptomology. Neuropathic or Vascular Ulcerations Osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle Development and use of devices which disperse or remove weight bearing from certain parts of the foot which are ulcerated or painful together with necessary local care of local pathology. Identification/treatment of "static" foot problems (e.g. heel pain, flatfoot deformity, hammer toes}, by performance of bio mechanical evaluation of the lower extremities and utilization of highly specific devices which place the foot or digits in a more functional position and redistribute weight bearing to reduce or eliminate discomfort, ulceration. Local care of corns, calluses and pedal ulceration(s). Local care of deformed, painful and/or infected nails which may result in significant extension of infection, ulceration, disability, or gangrene; particularly in patients predisposed to infection or its extension by systemic disease (diabetes mellitus). Various local anesthetic techniques (infection) within the foot (e.g., local anesthetic infiltration, digital block, selective infiltration of inter digital or superficial nerves} Specialized procedures for the surgical correction of nail, forefoot, digits, metatarsal and soft tissue pathology of the foot, (e.g. infected or painful ingrown toenails, curettage of verruca, drainage of abscess, correction of callus under local anesthesia. Bunionectomy Fluoroscopy Local Anesthesia/ Local Anesthesia with infiltration PIP Fusion Shaving of Exostoses Surgery of Forefoot With proper training, Rearfoot and Ankle surgeries Toenail removal Local care of deformed, painful and/or infected nails which may result in significant extension of infection, ulceration, disability, or gangrene; particularly in patients predisposed to infection or its extension by systemic disease (diabetes mellitus) Telework: Available- Ad Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm