Summary

The WPB VA has a designated role in the service that serves as the Attending Physician and Palliative care provider in the Geriatrics and Extended Care service in the community living center - inpatient - and outpatient care at the VA WPB Health Care system. The incumbent provides clinical services in Hospice - Palliative care and Geriatrics for veterans enrolled in the VAWPB Health care system. They will also be a teaching faculty member in our Hospice & Palliative care fellowship programs.

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: Incumbent role is to provide consult services especially PCCT consults from PC/ED and may be other services
• Goal is to provide immediate same day access to PCCT/Hospice care services
• Prefer formal Hospice and Palliative medicine training and OR Geriatric training and be comfortable with goals of care discussions and evaluations
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019
• This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health
• This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring objects up to 15 pounds may be required
• The Physician may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• The Physician may occasionally be exposed in person or virtually (telephonic or electronic messaging) to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The Physician must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - and able to shift priorities based on Veteran needs.

Duties

• They will have the following duties and responsibilities: A
• Serves as a resource to senior management and other clinical and administrative leaders on issues impacting the delivery of care for veteran's who use the Geriatrics Department services
• B
• Assists team members in maintaining a comprehensive program in Hospice - Palliative care - and Geriatrics to ensure compliance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidelines and Directives and other relevant standards
• C
• Takes part in the Palliative Care consults as a team member and takes direct patient care assignment in all aspects of care both in inpatient and outpatient setting
• D
• Serves as the attending of record for veterans admitted to CLC including the valor way hospice neighborhood
• E
• Participates in educational activities related to the delivery of services to community living center residents and promotes and supports appropriate continuing education programs for other staff members
• F
• Establishes and promotes an atmosphere of teamwork and cooperation among professional and support staff to achieve a high level of productivity - customer and staff satisfaction and effective communication channels within the Service and across other Care Lines/Services/Programs
• G
• Participates in medical provider assignments and coverage in the department in collaboration with the Chief of Geriatrics and Extended care
• H
• Ensures that they provide resident care services within established clinical privileges - scope of practice - competencies - and qualifications
• I
• Serves as direct staff provider within the Department of GEC as assigned
• 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 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - Friday 4:30 pm