Physician (Gastroenterologist) at Veterans Health Administration

Summary

This is an open continuous announcement. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred until the vacancy is filled. The announcement will be closed when the vacancy has been filled, which may be earlier than the current posted closing date.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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
• Preferred Experience: 3-5 years board certified in Gastroenterology
• Previous training in basic gastroenterology procedures is preferred
• The candidate's training should include a third-tier fellowship (after core GI fellowship training) in hepatology; candidates with a specific training focus in hepatology in the final year of their core GI fellowship will also be considered
• 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), light lifting (under 15 pounds), moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), light carrying (under 15 pounds), pushing 4 hours, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking 2 hours, standing 8 hours, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, hearing (aid permitted), mental and emotional stability.

Duties

"Duties include but not limited to the following: Diagnosing, treating and managing patients referred for management of Liver and GI disorders, including fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis and pre/postcare of liver transplant patients.
Performs endoscopic procedures and cares for patients in the outpatient clinic and inpatient setting, sometimes supervising trainees (GI fellows or medicine residents).
Performing diagnostic and therapeutic upper and lower endoscopy procedures (including PEG placement, esophageal dilation, and other basic therapeutics), liver biopsy and paracentesis.
Competence in ultrasound elastography is a plus, but not required Performing histories and physical examinations, endoscopy consultations, virtual visits (telehealth) and developing treatment and follow-up plans.
Responsible for completing patient encounters, inpatient consults, notes, and correctly coding visits in accordance with coding guidelines.
Responsible for clinical reviews to triage urgency of visit for the patient's medical problems VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
VHA Physician Total Rewards.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: May be Authorized for a highly qualified applicant 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 - 4:30 pm (Subject to change based on needs of the agency.) May require work outside of core schedule as this 24/7 hospital."