Join a dedicated and compassionate team at VA Maryland Health Care System's (VAMHCS) Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) Clinical Center where your work truly matters. As a Hospice and Palliative Care (HCP) Physician, you'll help veterans navigate some of the most meaningful and delicate moments of their lives - with dignity, empathy, and expert care.
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 have completed a Hospice and Palliative Care Fellowship or have commensurate experience. Successfully completing the Certifying Examination of the American Board of Internal Medicine or the American Board of Family Practice is advantageous but not required. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others. Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing or speech may be required. however, in most cases, a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid.
Location: Primarily at the Loch Raven VA Medical Center, with additional clinical duties at the Baltimore VA Medical Center Loch Raven VA Medical Center (VAMC) Located at 3901 The Alameda (at the corner of Loch Raven Blvd) in Baltimore, MD, the Loch Raven VA Medical Center is a key part of the VA Maryland Health Care System. This facility offers a calm, accessible, and veteran-friendly setting, focused on outpatient services including geriatric care, palliative care, primary care, and specialty clinics. It provides an ideal environment for delivering longitudinal, relationship-based care that honors the needs and goals of aging and seriously ill veterans. Baltimore VA Medical Center (VAMC) Located in downtown Baltimore and connected to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the Baltimore VAMC is a major academic medical facility and referral center offering a broad array of inpatient and specialty services. It is a hub for clinical innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, with strong ties to academic medicine and complex case management. The Baltimore VAMC is one of only a few VA Medical Centers in the country with two large federally funded programs in geriatrics - Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center (GRECC) and a Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center. It is currently ranked as one of the top VA Medical Centers in VA-funded research. About the Area: Downtown Baltimore is a vibrant urban center that combines historic charm with modern amenities. From the scenic Inner Harbor and its waterfront attractions to cultural landmarks like the Walters Art Museum and the American Visionary Art Museum, Baltimore offers endless opportunities for exploration. The city boasts a thriving food scene, professional sports teams, and easy access to major cities like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York. Why This Role Rocks: Deliver high-quality palliative care in both outpatient and inpatient settings Lead with empathy-managing symptoms, guiding difficult conversations, and supporting patients and families Collaborate with a dedicated interdisciplinary team Participate in program development and mentoring Work in a mission-driven environment that prioritizes veteran dignity and well-being What You'll Do: Provide palliative care consultations and longitudinal care at both the Loch Raven and Baltimore sites Participate in advance care planning, hospice referrals, and complex decision-making Serve as a key member of the interdisciplinary team Contribute to program improvement and possibly academic efforts through University of Maryland affiliations VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): 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. Learn more. 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: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm