Physician - Chief of Medicine/Geriatrics

Full Job Description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. 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.

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

Physical Requirements: See VA Directives and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. Major Duties:

The Chief of Medicine/Geriatrics will have medical oversight of the in-patient units, Urgent Care Clinic, Community Living Center and Home Based Primary Care to include quality of care, patient experience, SAIL metrics (readmission, infection control, and other metrics), and out-patient medical sub-specialties clinics.

In addition, the candidate must have demonstrated knowledge in caring for the Veteran population, the ability to work with an interdisciplinary team, and demonstrate excellent customer service skills.

The incumbent will be based at the Altoona VA Medical Center Duties include, but are not limited to the following: The position requires excellent interpersonal skills, mentoring skills and diplomacy as well as a good understanding of the Department of Veterans Affairs operations, rules and regulations.

Providing leadership and strategic vision for medicine inpatient activities and clinics.

Collaborates with executive leadership, managerial and clinical leaders in formulating local Medical Center Policy, resource planning for manpower, equipment and space.

Guide the development and implementation of programs such as medical practice, professional standards, personnel issues, quality, and performance improvement.

Recommend clinical privileges for each member of the service.

This position is responsible for recruiting and hiring clinicians and is also responsible for monitoring provider performance and medical outcomes.

Engage in clinical service activities in his/her area of specialization.

The Chief of Medicine sits on a number of important committees; both at the medical center and VISN levels, and attendance and participation are critical elements of this position.

Participates in the development and implementation of Medical Center policy affecting patient care and services.

This involves collaborating with colleagues in developing, implementing, and evaluating philosophy, objectives, policies, and standards essential for delivering optimal care to patients.

Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Chief of Staff of the Altoona VA Medical Center. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more.

EDRP Authorized: Authorized (Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive) 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 to Friday, 8am to 430pm.