Chief of Podiatry

Full Job Description

VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System is looking for a Chief of Podiatry to join our team.

VA CWM is an out-patient health care system that serves 30,000 Veterans and provides Podiatry clinics in Northampton, Springfield, and Worcester.

The Chief of Podiatry provides leadership for out-patient clinical services, supervises Podiatrists at three clinical sites, and runs clinic in Northampton.

There is no surgery, no call, no nights or weekend work.

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.

Podiatrist Basic Requirements Degree as a doctor of podiatric medicine, or its equivalent, from a school of podiatric medicine approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Approved schools are United States schools of podiatric medicine approved by the Council on Podiatry Education of the American Podiatry Association in the year in which the degree was granted.

~AND~ Completed, or currently completing, residency training, or its equivalent, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification.

VA Podiatrists 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 Council on Podiatric Medical Education, in the list published for the year the residency was completed, or (2) Other residencies and training experiences, or their equivalents, which the local Professional Standards Board determines to have provided an applicant with appropriate professional training.

~AND~ Currently hold, or will hold, a full and unrestricted license to practice Podiatry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia.

Preferred Experience: VA and Podiatry leadership experience preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: May be subjected to light lifting, under 15 pounds, Light carrying, under 15 pounds, reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, walking, standing and repeated bending.

Major Duties:

Podiatry is the health care profession that specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of foot and ankle conditions through medical and surgical means.

The Chief of Podiatry position is 70% clinical with clinics at the Leeds campus and 30% administrative for supervisory duties, maintenance of the Prevention of Amputation in Veterans Everywhere (PAVE) program, and compliance with any directives and programs assigned to Podiatry The Chief of Podiatry will assign work, provide administrative direction, approve time and leave, and acts as the rating official for proficiency reports including Pay for Performance for all providers under their supervision.

The Chief of Specialty Care acts as the approving official for proficiency reports.

The Chief of Podiatry is responsible for the implementation of any Directives or taskings as assigned and for utilizing resources across the facility and VHA to improve and expand podiatry services at VA CWM.

Oversight is provided by the Chief of Specialty Care.

To be effective in this role, the incumbent is responsible for maintaining professional, clinical, administrative, and interpersonal communication competencies associated with the position.

Complete history and physical examination with an emphasis on diagnosis and foot/ankle pathology, and identification of related systemic conditions.

Complete medical management of podiatric pathology Prescription of pharmaceuticals and therapeutic devices, (orthotics, prosthetic devices, plaster casts, immobilization devices, etc.) Appropriate consultation, referral and co-management of patients with complicating systemic conditions, and Health promotion and disease prevention.

In the absence of a podiatry resident program, the Chief of Podiatry is responsible for coordination and supervision of residents of other specialties rotating through podiatry and medical student, and other learners This position is a AFGE Bargaining Unit position VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00am to 4:30pm) Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized