VA Connecticut Health Care System (VACHS), West Haven, CT is currently seeking a full-time Physician (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Director - PM&R Director & Section Chief) who will provide comprehensive patient care of consultative inpatient and outpatient patient care and management that supports the mission through administrative leadership and oversight of their Section's educational and research activities.
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 Eligible in Rehab Medicine Preferred Experience: Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Qualified for faculty membership at VACHS Affiliates Yale or University of Connecticut Experience leading a clinical service, including overseeing daily operations, resource allocation, growth, and quality improvement initiatives. Experience developing and manage the service's budget, ensuring efficient utilization of resources and adherence to financial goals. Experience implementing VHA Handbooks, rules, directives, policies and regulations governing a widespread range of administrative aspects. Experience performing a wide range of medical duties covering rehabilitation medicine; examining and assessing patients, developing and managing a comprehensive and rehabilitation program. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Straight Pulling (2hrs); Pushing (4hrs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (2hrs); Standing (2hrs); Kneeling (2hrs); Repeated bending (2hrs); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Both eyes required; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Hearing (aid permitted). Mental/emotional stability.
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) 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 As a provider, the physiatrist specializes in medical rehabilitation and treatment to promote the health, independence, and quality of life for veterans with disabilities. Physiatrist will assist in diagnosing, treating, and directing an interdisciplinary rehabilitation plan for individuals with acute and chronic pain from musculoskeletal and other conditions, stroke, spasticity, traumatic brain injury, amputation, post-operative rehabilitation, and electromyogram testing. The Physician (Physiatrist- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Director) duties include, but are not limited to: Maintain full responsibility for all professional, management, and administrative aspects of Physiatry Section, and the service-aligned personnel and clinical programs. Develop and maintain annual budgets for section resources, staffing, training, and travel, with effective resource allocation. Oversee quality and efficiency of clinical programs, research, and other activities related to the roles of physicians, nurse practitioners, and other service personnel. Implement efficient administrative processes based upon analyses of productivity, clinical needs, and ongoing monitors of performance metrics, including but not limited to provider availability, workload, productivity, and clinic management. Develop and maintain indicators and monitors for clinical performance of staff, assuring credentialing, privileging and professional competence meet or exceed expectations. Ensure adherence with clinical and training program standards as guided by accrediting bodies, regulatory requirements, and VHA directives and guidelines. Support professional research, including designing research and program quality initiatives, and consulting to offer research guidance and stimulate new research directions. Serve on Medical Center, VISN, and/or National VA committees and Task Forces, and serves as a consultant to other medical center programs and services. Develop proposals and strategic initiatives to improve care, access and efficiency in clinical service delivery. Participate in professional development activities such as clinical peer reviews, maintaining standards, and teaching students/residents. Clinical duties include: Work effectively with patients, families, co-workers, and other health care professionals treating them with respect and dignity. Complies with information security policy and procedures. Provide assessment physical and functional status of Veterans in the Physical Medicine clinics. Provide recommendations and work with the interdisciplinary team to coordinate care to provide optimal functioning, level of pain, and quality of life for Veterans. Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements. Provide recommendations and work with the interdisciplinary team to coordinate care to provide optimal functioning, level of pain, and quality of life for Veterans. Physiatrists are expected to be BLS certified. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) Incumbent will be required to be on-call for inpatient/outpatient work based on facility/patient care needs.