Deputy Chief of Inpatient Medicine Section

Full Job Description

The Deputy Chief of the Inpatient Medicine Section of the Acute Care Medicine Service Line reports directly to the Chief of Inpatient Medicine Section and is responsible for the clinical and administrative functions of the Inpatient Medicine Section.

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. Preferred Experience: A minimum of 3 years of experience working as a hospitalist.

Prior experience in leadership roles within hospital medicine is preferred but not required.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others.

Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing or speech may be required.

however, in most cases, a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid. Major Duties:

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 The Deputy Chief of the Inpatient Medicine Section of the Acute Care Medicine Service Line is responsible for participation and oversight of clinical providers in Inpatient Medicine and patient care performance measures, compliance, training, and performance improvement, recruitment and retention of highly qualified and experienced providers, participation in various Medical Center committees to ensure performance measures are met, compliance with applicable rules and regulations, as well as participation in system redesign activities.

Administrative (Management) Responsibilities): a) Serves as Acting Chief of Inpatient Medicine when needed.

b) Assists with review of the ongoing and focused professional practice evaluation process for the Inpatient Medicine providers.

c) Assist with reviewing and ensuring compliance with assigned pay for performance metrics and completion of annual and biannual proficiency reviews for the Inpatient Medicine section.

d) Participates in and attends medical center committees and other committees assigned by the Chief of Inpatient Medicine.

e) Promotes peer review, career development and professional enrichment for employees.

f) Participates in various facility programs designed to enhance and improve the delivery of patient care services, such as Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) teams, and others as assigned by the Chief of Inpatient Medicine.

g) Demonstrates commitment to high quality customer service, including specific measures identified as performance goals by the Atlanta VAHCS.

h) Assists with service recovery and resolving patient concerns and encouraging the implementation of best practices in customer service.

i) Revises work schedules and assignments on short notice to accommodate frequent, abrupt, and unpredictable changes in workloads and deadlines.

j) Participates in the selection of new staff using concepts of cultural emersion and seeking desired behaviors to select the candidates.

k) Adheres to all information security and privacy measures set by VHA and the Atlanta VAHCS.

Clinical Responsibilities: a) Has approved clinical privileges in the areas of his/her expertise as related to Inpatient Medicine (Hospital Medicine) and in all areas required to carry out the duties of his/her assignments and/or responsibilities within the Inpatient Medicine unit.

b) Provides quality patient-centered patient care to all patients presenting to the Atlanta VAHCS Inpatient Medicine units.

c) Demonstrate sound decision-making skills, both clinically and administratively, which bring credit to the profession.

d) Facilitate the delivery of appropriate patient care in collaboration with other health professionals, medical center staff, and management. e) Participates in peer review processes when requested.

f) Participates in multidisciplinary activities involving the treatment plan and discharge plans of patients in Inpatient Medicine and other patient care units.

g) Assists in evaluating patient care programs in the Inpatient medicine section.

h) Exhibits leadership in initiating changes in patient care programs based on current concepts and findings from research and studies.

Keeps informed of developments in the management and treatment of diseases and illness through continuing medical education, both formal and informal.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, tour may be variable tour based on need