Summary

The Dermatology Section Chief serves as the clinical and administrative lead for Dermatology services at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center. The incumbent is responsible for delivering high-quality - evidence-based dermatologic care across outpatient clinics - procedural dermatology (excluding Mohs micrographic surgery) - inpatient consults - and teledermatology.

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
• Providers must meet the following requirements: This position requires proficiency in basic computer operations - including the use of email - typing - instant messaging platforms - and dictation software when authorized
• Use of dictation software is permitted only on a case-by-case basis - contingent upon available licensure associated with vacated or retired positions
• Providers must be able to independently generate timely - accurate - and complete clinical documentation without reliance on dictation
• Applicants who are unable to produce documentation without dictation will not meet the qualification requirements for this position
• Providers must be able to document care within the electronic medical record - communicate with internal staff through approved instant messaging systems - and engage with patients via secure messaging in accordance with VHA policy
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service.

Duties

• NOTE: This announcement will be open until the position is filled
• Applications will be sent to the hiring manager every two weeks
• This announcement may close prior to the closing date listed if a selection has been made
• The Section Chief ensures access - continuity - patient safety - compliance - operational efficiency - and alignment with VHA directives while fostering education - scholarly activity - and interprofessional collaboration
• This facility does not provide Mohs micrographic surgery
• The Section Chief will establish and manage safe - timely referral pathways for Mohs and select advanced dermatologic oncology procedures via VISN tertiary partners and/or community care - ensuring continuity and follow-up
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Clinical Care Provide comprehensive evaluation - diagnosis - and management of acute and chronic dermatologic conditions for Veteran patients
• Perform dermatologic procedures excluding Mohs: shave - punch - and incisional biopsies
• benign and selected malignant lesion excisions
• cryotherapy
• ED&C
• intralesional injections
• phototherapy oversight
• patch testing where available
• Conduct inpatient and ED consults
• support hospitalist and surgical teams in dermatologic co-management
• Utilize teledermatology (store-and-forward and video visits) to expand access across the facility and CBOCs
• Coordinate dermatopathology services - ensuring timely and accurate pathologic interpretation and follow-up
• Manage referrals for advanced derm-oncology care and all Mohs cases to VISN centers and/or community care
• ensure documentation - communication - and follow-up plans are established prior to referral completion
• Leadership & Administration Lead strategic planning - service design - and operational oversight for the Dermatology Section
• Develop and manage clinic templates - panel size - provider schedules - and procedural blocks to meet access targets
• Oversee staffing - recruitment - onboarding - competency validation - mentoring - and performance appraisals for dermatology staff
• Collaborate with Medicine Service leadership - Group Practice Management - Business Office - Telehealth - Pharmacy - and Nursing to optimize workflows and resource allocation
• Steward equipment - supply formularies - and minor capital requests
• support P&T matters relevant to dermatology
• Lead policy development and routine review (e.g. - procedural safety checklists - biopsy tracking - pathology reconciliation)
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): 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
• Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [email protected] - 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 - 8:00am - 4:30pm