Summary

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 ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

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 allopathic 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 accrediting bodies for graduate medical education - the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - in the list published for the year the residency - or fellowship if applicable - was completed
• OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship - first year of residency - or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States
• OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - 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
• Exceptions: 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 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
• In rare and unusual circumstances - the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer - who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience - accomplishments - performance - and qualifications warrant such action
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Board Certified Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35 pounds - intermittently
• moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) - intermittently
• lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care
• pulling - intermittently
• pushing - intermittently
• reaching above the shoulders - intermittently - both hands required
• walking - intermittently
• standing - intermittently
• kneeling - intermittently
• and repeated bending.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment) is Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN22HREducationReimbursementTeam@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more
• 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 to Friday - 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Major duties include but not limited to the following: OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP: GI Physicians report to the Chief of Gastroenterology and the Chief of Medicine
• This position requires that the GI Physician has the working knowledge of outpatient and the various consultative services
• GI Physicians are responsible for integrating the core values and mission of the facility into outpatient and inpatient care services.GI Physicians assist the Section and Service Chiefs in the areas of: Resource Utilization Accomplishment of local - VISN and national goals
• Safety The GI Physician may also participate in administrative and quality improvement activities
• They assist administration and other staff in policy development and compliance with Joint Commission (JC) - and other applicable local and national standards
• The incumbent serves on committees as requested by the Section Chief and Medical Center management
• ADVOCACY and ACCESSIBILITY: The GI Physician collaborates with the Chief of Gastroenterology - other subspecialties (both in the Medicine Department and other Departments) - Clinical Managers - and Administrative Officer for: Access to care
• Provision of care that demonstrates value for people with activity limitations - hearing/speech limitations - and participation restrictions
• Removal of architectural - environmental - attitudinal - financial - communication - employment - transportation and other barriers to care GASTROENTOLOGY PHYSICIAN SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES: The incumbent has clinical responsibilities under the guidance and direction of the Chief of Gastroenterology
• The incumbent participates - oversees and collaborates to ensure that all applicable clinical functions which include outpatient and inpatient consultative medical care are performed
• GI Physicians are tasked with providing timely and courteous service to all Veterans seeking care
• ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES: In partnership with the Chief of Gastroenterology - participates in strategic planning for the service
• As requested by the Chief of Gastroenterology attends and provides input - as appropriate - to the outpatient clinic management and other committees and councils - as needed
• Attends clinical and administrative staff meetings as may be required or directed by the Chief of Gastroenterology
• Actively promotes performance improvement measures within the Gastroenterology Section
• The staff GI Physician supports VHA and all Medicine Service directives - policies - procedures - rules and regulations
• EDUCATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: The GI Physician collaborates with other physicians to ensure proper education of medical students and residents when applicable
• Maintains Continuing Medical Education (CME) - State Medical License - and VA mandatory training prior to expiration
• Maintains moderate sedation privileges
• certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).