The Staff Pathologist will work in Pathology and Laboratory services within the Montana VA Health Care System (MTVAHCS) supporting inpatient (acute care and critical care), outpatient services and procedural services.
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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 lbs.), light carrying (under 15 lbs.), use of fingers, walking 4-8 hours, standing 4-8 hours, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 in the other, hearing (aid permitted), working closely with others, working alone, emotional and mental stability.
Clinical (90%): Supervision of the care surrounding diagnostic testing and treatment provided by the Laboratory Technologists/Technicians organizationally responsible to the Chief, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. Provision of laboratory and pathology services to the Veteran population in accordance with clinical privileges, medical staff bylaws, and accepted medical standards of practice. Collaboration with physicians, nurses, pharmacists. and other health care personnel providing supportive or clinical services in the various patient care areas where laboratory services are requisitioned. Perform gross and microscopic examination with diagnosis of surgical specimens received from Fort Harrison operating room; outpatient surgical service, and outpatient clinic, and all other MTVAHCS outpatient clinics (CBOC's). Provide intraoperative and frozen section consultation for Fort Harrison operating room cases when requested. Perform microscopic examination with diagnosis of cytology specimens received from Fort Harrison operating room, outpatient surgical service, and outpatient clinic, and all other MTVAHCS outpatient clinics (CBOC's). and be available to assist in bedside specimen preparation and perform preliminary evaluation for adequacy for fine needle aspirations performed at Fort Harrison. Perform indicated autopsies, providing gross and microscopic examination with preliminary and final anatomic diagnoses for cases performed. Administrative (10%): Maintain CLIA Certification and requirements to ensure MTVAHCS remains in compliance. Facilitating the delivery of patient care and continuity of care in collaboration with physicians, managers, and other health care personnel. Performance Improvement activities. Supporting the mission, vision, and organizational design as developed by the executive council VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact rita.owens@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP), which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements, loan repayments, sign-on bonus contracts, Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years). For additional information and eligibility requirements, contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at vacontractbuyoutprog@va.gov. 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