The South Texas VA Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas is currently seeking a Physician (Geriatric/Extended Care Medical Director, National Tele-Palliative Care) to lead interdisciplinary staff in providing high quality patient centered care to Veterans under the National Telehealth Program.
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. Education: 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. Licensure and Registration: 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: Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR 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. Physical Requirements: See outlined below. English Language Proficiency. Physicians appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7402(d) and 7407(d). Preferred Experience: Board Certified/Board Eligible in Geriatrics and/or Hospice and Palliative Care Geriatric medicine experience. Long COVID and other infections associated chronic conditions, complex chronic illness experience. Telemedicine experience. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Straight Pulling (2hrs); Pushing (4hrs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (2hrs); Standing (2hrs); Kneeling (2hrs); Repeated bending (2hrs); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Both eyes required; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Hearing (aid permitted). Mental/emotional stability.
The National Tele-Palliative Care Program serves a Medical Director for Veterans Affairs facilities throughout the network and is expected to provide interprofessional services to facilities that are underserved or experiencing gaps in clinicians due to the inability to match provider supply with demand. Services provided will be conducted virtually. The medical director is responsible for the quality of care provided by the program, for the productivity of the program and for the development and implementation of programs and initiatives to meet the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) mission. Clinical duties and responsibilities include: Patient Care: Practitioners are 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: Practitioners are expected to demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, and social sciences, and the application of their knowledge to patient care and the education of others. Clinical Judgment: To 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. Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Practitioners are expected to demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that enable them to establish and maintain professional relationships with patients, families, and other members of the health care teams (including remote teams and community partners). Professionalism: Practitioners are expected to demonstrate behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, and understanding and sensitivity to diversity, and a responsible attitude toward their patients, their profession. Administrative Duties: Provides leadership to the interdisciplinary team for patient care and program development and expansion. Ensure written policies and procedures are developed in compliance with all applicable accrediting organizations and VHA program offices, standards and requirements, and that they are reviewed and updated as necessary. Manage section-level quality improvement activities that monitor critical aspects of care. An ongoing and continuous evaluation of the program must be conducted to ensure quality and appropriateness of care provided to patients. Administratively related activities of the department, unless otherwise provided by the hospital. Continuing surveillance of the professional performance of all individuals in the department who have delineated clinical privileges. Recommending to the medical staff the criteria for clinical privileges that are relevant to the care provided in the department. Integration of the department or section into the primary functions of the organization. Coordination and integration of interdepartmental and intradepartmental sections. Development and implementation of policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of care, treatment, and services. Determination of the qualifications and competence of department or section personnel who are not licensed independent practitioners and who provide patient care, treatment, and services. Continuous assessment and improvement of the quality of care, treatment, and services. Maintenance of quality control programs, as appropriate. Orientation and continuing education of all persons in the department or section. Development, implementation and dissemination of the national program collaborating with VHA, local and regional clinical and administrative leaders. Supervisory Controls: The Geriatric and Extended Care National Tele-Palliative Care Medical Director reports to the ACOS for Geriatrics and Extended Care, who reports to the Chief of Staff. The National Tele-Palliative Care Medical Director will also collaborate with VISN 17 leadership and other VISNs leadership as program expands. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. 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