This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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. Additional Requirement: Proficiency in spoken and written Spanish. 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: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; light carrying, under 15 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (6hrs); Standing (6hrs); Repeated bending (2hrs); Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental/emotional stability; Ability to perform privileges; Independently performs physical exam as appropriate to position; Cognitive stability. ["This is an open-continuous announcement and will remain open until December 29, 2023, or until the position is filled (if a selection is made and offer accepted, announcement will be closed). Qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official every two weeks from the opening date of the announcement. Primary Care provides comprehensive health care and addresses the majority of health care needs for assigned patients as outlined on the granted clinical privileges. Physicians will be responsible for the evaluation and treatment, including preventive care of a panel of patients and other patients assigned, and functions as part of a multidisciplinary team. The physician follows established clinical guidelines and service agreements, when applicable, according to the patients' needs. Physician (Primary Care) duties consist of but are not limited to the following: Providing long-term patient-provider relationships, coordinating care across a spectrum of health services, educating, and offering disease prevention programs for ambulatory patients. Stabilizing and referring of those who require a different level of care when services needed are outside the scope of the clinic. Responsible for the evaluating and treating, including preventive care of a panel of patients assigned under his/her care and functions as part of a multidisciplinary team. Conducting relationships with patients, co-workers, supervisors and visitors of the medical center are professional and cooperative in nature; displays a caring, helpful attitude and a willingness to be of assistance in resolving issues of concern. Functions as a team member helping to the group effort to ensure quality of services provided to our customers. Must be able to establish rapport with patients, establish a patient-centered environment, be respectful of individual differences and preferences, and encourage shared decision making. Using the proper language and tone of voice, is courteous treating patients and those with whom she/he regularly interacts in carrying out job assignments. Takes in consideration customer's limitations (physical, mental and age related) during communications. Showing true commitment to patient-centered care and the medical center. Education, experience, and capability of assessing and providing competent and coordinated care with emphasis on preventive care and focusing on chronic long-term care in treating the age- specific group from young adults to geriatric age, responding to the age specific needs of each population. Must be sensitive to different cultural backgrounds of the patient population. Will use existing technology (video conferencing and home Tele-Health) as part of the coordination and provision of medical care. Expected to practice in accordance with professional standards, core values, and with a commitment to service excellence. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan reimbursement program within VHA, pending funding and approval. If selected for this position you must meet specific individual eligibility criteria in accordance with VHA policy 1021 and apply for EDRP within four (4) months of appointment. Final award amount and program start date is determined after review of a complete EDRP application and supporting documentation by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the VISN 8 Compensation Center of Excellence at VISN8CCOE@va.gov. 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: Various work schedule M-F, may include some evenings, weekends, and holidays. Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement Title: Physician (Primary Care) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Is not authorized. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Eligible- *See \"Additional Information\" section below for more details."]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
