Nocturnist - Department of Veteran Affairs

The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) is seeking a full-time Nocturnist to provide quality service in our progressive, innovative health care system for our Veteran hospital population. The physician will participate as the attending physician.

This opportunity is part of the teaching team. The attending physician is responsible for the instruction of residents, interns, and possibly medical students. SAVAHCS is the principal teaching affiliate of the University of Arizona Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy. Therefore, the selected candidates must be eligible for a faculty appointment at the University of Arizona.

Preference will be given to candidates who are board eligible/board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The candidate must also be American Heart Association BLS and ACLS certified. The candidate should be proficient in core Internal Medicine invasive procedures. A refresher training is available in our excellent simulation laboratory. The candidate is also expected to acquire our facility certification in airway management after completing local on-line, simulation laboratory, and hands-on training. Experience with resident supervision and instruction is strongly preferred, but new Internal Medicine graduates are also welcome; our university affiliate offers some classes on effective teaching.

Our team of healthcare professionals are deeply experienced and guided by the needs of our veterans, their families, and caregivers.  

Requirements:

• United States Citizenship
• Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in medicine or osteopathic medicine
• 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.
• Board certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)
• Proficiency in core internal medicine invasive procedures
• ACLS and BCLS Certification
• Work Schedule: 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM

Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System (SAVAHCS) 

The Tucson VA Medical Center is a 295-bed hospital that provides training, primary care, and sub-specialty health care in numerous medical areas for eligible Veterans. It is the "Flagship" for the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS), which serves over 170,000 veterans located in eight counties in Southern Arizona comprised of the medical center in Tucson, Arizona and seven Community Based Outpatient Clinics in Casa Grande, Green Valley, Safford, Sierra Vista, Yuma, Northwest, and Southeast Tucson.

It also is a Joint Commission-accredited, level 1a complexity teaching hospital, providing tertiary-level care. The SAVAHCS offers a beautiful 150-acre campus with a full range of 

medical and mental health services for Veterans, including a 31-bed inpatient psychiatry/substance use acute treatment unit, a 25-bed mental health residential rehabilitation treatment program for substance use disorders (SUD) and PTSD treatment, intensive outpatient programs for SUD and PTSD, homeless programs, and more. The SAVAHCS operates a 24-hour emergency department and is the host site for various regional referral centers of excellence including the Polytrauma Network Site, the Southwest Blind Rehabilitation Center, and the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MHRRTP). The SAVAHCS is the principal teaching affiliate of the University of Arizona Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy. Annually nearly 1,000 physician and associated health trainees participate in health care training programs at the SAVAHCS.

Community Information of Tucson, Arizona

Tucson - a major city in the Arizona Sun- Corridor. The largest city in Southern Arizona and the second largest city in the state after Phoenix. This vibrant desert city is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural landscapes. Nestled in the Sonoran Desert and surrounded by majestic mountains. It offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure, Southwest Charm, and a thriving arts and culinary scene.

• Affordable Cost of Living – low cost of living and affordable housing with scenic views in family friendly and safe neighborhoods.
• Favorable weather all year round – Tucson boasts 350 days of sunshine every year and yet still offers distinct seasons meaning your days will be spent doing outdoor activities, i.e., hiking, biking, swimming, or just relaxing leisure walks. Is golf more your thing? Tucson offers some of the country’s best golf courses.
• Great College Atmosphere – The University of Arizona is in Tucson, you’ll find the campus, shops and cafes catering to the college crowd.

Tucson is a great place to live for families, people who enjoy outdoor activities (hiking, cycling, running, etc.) and those who enjoy rich culture and an affiliation with a world class University. Tucson truly is a city with a friendly, small-town feel

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 medical centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.

In addition to the honor of serving America’s Heroes, a career at VHA provides a robust total reward$ package (see full brochure here) and offers many benefits including: 

• Flexible work schedules and shifts

• Annual Salary Range: $280,000 - $295,000  

• Low patient-provider ratios
• Robust insurance coverage
• The ability to work anywhere in the country with one active license??  
• Stable employment with competitive salary and regular pay increases
• 50 days annual paid time off (26 days paid annual leave, 13 days paid annual sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays) in addition to other leave options including paid parental leave
• Generous education support programs, including loan repayment and reimbursement???  
• Unprecedented federal retirement benefits including a traditional pension (5 years’ vesting) and a federal 401K (TSP) with up to 5% in employer contributions
• VA’s Diversity, People & Culture

VHA also offers the Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP), a groundbreaking hiring incentive that allows the VA to recruit the best and brightest Physicians and buy out the contractual obligation (locum agreements, loan repayments, sign-on bonus) with their current employer. If eligible, the VA can buy out your service contract in exchange for 4 years of service at one of our rural or highly rural VA medical centers or affiliated community-based outpatient clinic.

Participation in CBOP is a huge benefit all on its own. It frees you to pursue the career you’ve always wanted, embrace the noble mission of serving our Veterans, and focus on the healing that drove you to become a clinician in the first place (rather than worrying about a contract).

If you are ready to serve the health care needs of our rural Veterans and a contract with your current employer is holding you back, contact the CBOP office today at VAContractBuyoutProg@va.gov for more information.

With over 450 rural VA medical centers and affiliated outpatient clinics nationwide, the VA has a place waiting for you!

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to assisting you to your new, rewarding career at the Veterans Health Administration!