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 are ineligible.
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: Service Chief or Line Manager. A service chief or line manager physician must demonstrate the following: Outstanding professional ability in the practice of medicine or a medical specialty. Ability to guide the development and implementation of programs within their respective domain. These programs would include, but are not limited to medical practice, professional standards, personnel issues, and quality and performance improvement. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: A primary care provider needs to move freely around the clinic, stand or sit for long periods, and use their hands skillfully for medical procedures. They should be capable of lifting up to 25-50 pounds, have good vision for patient assessment and test interpretation, and sufficient hearing for clear communication. Effective verbal communication, good hand-eye coordination for precise tasks, and the flexibility to bend, kneel, and reach during examinations are also essential.
Job duties Include but at not limited to: Provide direct patient care in the outpatient primary care setting. Perform comprehensive medical assessments, diagnose and treat acute and chronic illnesses, and manage overall patient care. Order and interpret diagnostic tests and prescribe medications as appropriate. Coordinate care with other healthcare professionals and services. Advocate for evidence-based and best practices in clinical care. Timely take action on clinical view alerts arising from patient care or as surrogate provider. Assist in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of Primary Care programs and initiatives. Participate in budget planning and resource allocation to improve service quality and efficiency. Ensure compliance with healthcare regulations, organizational policies, and accreditation standards. Supervise and mentor primary care staff, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and support personnel. Analyze and report on clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and other performance metrics. Facilitate effective communication and collaboration within the primary care team and other departments. Lead and participate in continuing medical education (CME) activities and professional development for staff. Promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement among primary care providers. Organize and conduct training sessions, workshops, and seminars for healthcare professionals. Engage in personal professional development to stay current with advancements in primary care and healthcare management. Initiate and participate in quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing patient care and operational efficiency. Monitor and evaluate clinical practices to ensure they meet the highest standards of care. Develop and implement protocols, guidelines, and policies to improve patient outcomes and safety. Use data and analytics to identify areas for improvement and to measure the impact of changes. Advocate for patient-centered care and shared decision-making in all patient interactions. Engage with patients, families, and the community to understand their needs and preferences. Promote health education and preventive care initiatives within the community. Represent the Primary Care department in community outreach programs and activities. 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 , Lacey.Adkins2@va.gov the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 0800 to 1630