The Occupational Health Chief encompasses a broad range of activities based on Veteran and Employee needs. He/she functions as the lead manager, coordinator, and point of contact for Occupational Health, Employee Health promotion, Disease and Injury Prevention.
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 certified in Internal Medicine Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Applicants must meet physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required. This is a designated drug testing position. After appointment, you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Requires lifting 15-44 pounds; pushing (approx. 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers and both hands; walking and standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Hearing aid is permitted.
**This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until August 11th, 2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be June 17, 2025, with subsequent cut-off dates every 2 weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.** VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Work Schedule: Full-time. Schedule will be determined by supervisor. 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 Major duties include but are not limited to: Administrative: The Occupational Health Section Chief, Medical Service is responsible for establishing and maintaining high standards of excellence in all areas. Some of these responsibilities are as follows: Performs data collection and analysis to determine Employee health needs and expectations for the Occupational Health and Employee wellness program. Based on this information, he/she develops, implements, and evaluates activities for effectiveness Clinical Management including indirect patient care: open encounters and open consult maintenance, documentation requirements, monitoring of clinic management. Maintains involvement in matters concerning clinic productivity, relevant performance measures, Quality and Patient Safety oversight, and process improvements Coordinates Tuberculosis screening on prospective employees and volunteers and ongoing screening according to risk assessments Completes OPPE and proficiency assessments semi-annually Oversees pre-employment screening processes partnering with HR for timely access and processing Performs Respirator Medical Evaluation via Questionnaire review Assess immune status and administers vaccination in accordance with CDC guidelines and facility policy Collaborates with Infection Control to control exposures to diseases Coordinates influenza vaccine program for Veterans, Employees and Volunteers Member of Facility Flu Planning Committee Oversees Police annual physicals to be sure in compliance and national and local guidelines Evaluates and coordinates occupational exposure cases; including assessment, treatment and follow up; Maintains database of all BBP exposures; aligns data with the OSHA log Oversees needlestick policies Clinical: Despite the incumbent's extensive administrative responsibilities, he/she maintains a clinical workload, with the time allocation in coordination with the Medical Service Chief. The incumbent is expected to remain privileged and practicing in their specialty field. The exact privileges and procedures for a provider will be approved by the Professional Standards Board. All physicians must meet the following qualifications: Patient Care: Expected to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the promotion of health, prevention of illness, treatment of disease, and care at the end of life Medical/Clinical Knowledge: Functions as an expert consultant in health promotion and disease prevention and uses advanced clinical knowledge/judgment to plan, implement, coordinate and evaluate programs to promote healthy behaviors among employees. When coordinating employee health education programs, takes into consideration the age and developmental needs of employees Clinical Judgment: Must ensure practice-based learning and improvement, practitioners are expected to be able to use scientific evidence and methods to investigate, evaluate, and improve patient care Professionalism: Expected to demonstrate behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, and a responsible attitude toward their patients, their profession Systems-Based Practice: He/she is expected to demonstrate both an understanding of the contexts and systems in which health care is provided and the ability to apply this knowledge to improve optimizing heath care