This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet 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.
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. Preferred Experience: Board certified and/or Eligible in a Primary Care Specialty, Experience in Primary care. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: As detailed in VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHAEDRPProgramSupport@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 Functions / Scope of Assigned Duties 1. Clinical Functions: Provide direct patient care full-time as a member of an expanded healthcare team using the PACT model. Manage a panel of patients, with panel sizes potentially exceeding VA targets (1,200)based on service needs. 2. Major Duties: Provide outpatient care for primary care patients, including routine scheduled and urgent visits. Prescribe medications within scope of practice. Order diagnostic studies like laboratory tests, x-rays, electrocardiograms. Review health needs and order health promotion and disease prevention measures. Initiate and respond to consultations, special tests, and studies. Provide education and counseling to patients and families on preventive care, medical conditions, and treatments. Participate in team communications through daily huddles and electronic means. Serve as a surrogate for absent providers to handle view alerts, secure messages, and other correspondence. Complete patient forms and respond to communications in a timely manner. Monitor and manage assigned patient panel for key population health metrics. 3. General Description of Other Assigned Duties: May include management of a subsection of primary care patients, defined by disease status or demographic status. Float PACT Physicians may cover absences of PACT providers and perform duties under the primary care umbrella such as Employee Health, Traveling Veteran care, and urgent care. May involve supervising or collaborating with primary care mid-level providers, including clinical oversight and peer reviews. May include supervision, education, and evaluation of internal medicine residents and medical students. Act as surrogates for absent primary care providers, addressing view alerts, and correspondence. Attend primary care staff meetings, departmental, and medical staff meetings. 4. Additional Duties may include: Chart reviews Congressional, other suspense items VA Tort Claims Other duties as assigned 5. General Compliance: Follow departmental and VHA policies for leave and attendance. Timely documentation within 48 hours of visit. Complete administrative work promptly. Address clinical reminders as medically appropriate, maintaining quality care. Work within privileges unless necessitated by emergency. Manage view alert backlog to remain below 200 for a 1.0 FTE provider. 6. Computer Security Requirement: Protect sensitive and electronic files under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes, and policies. Safeguard data from unauthorized release or loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Work Schedule: Typical work hours are Monday to Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm, with a minimum of 80 hours per bi-weekly pay period. Duties may include evening, weekend hours, and ad hoc telework agreement.