Physician - Pulmonologist

Full Job Description

This full time opportunity is located at the Central Iowa VA Healthcare Facility in Des Moines, IA.

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/. Major Duties:

Physician will provide consultation services and follow up of medical subspecialty patients, in his or her designated field, in the inpatient and outpatient setting, at the VA Medical center in Des Moines, or one of the affiliated Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

Physician will work with pulmonary clinic staff, respiratory staff and other disciplines to develop and implement plan of care according to patient need.

Typical work hours are Monday to Friday 8-4.30 PM. Alternative work hours, if desired, should be agreed upon at the time of joining.

Each full-time provider is required to work a minimum of 80 hours per pay period (every two weeks) unless on leave status.

Provide education and counseling for patients regarding medical conditions, health status and the use of prescribed treatment and drugs.

Collaborate and consult with other providers, nursing, social work, psychologists, pharmacists and Mental Health providers as needed to ensure seamless patient care.

Workload will vary depending on the number of consults referred to the clinic and the number of patients requiring close follow up When working with inpatients provider is expected to participate in discharge planning and other interdisciplinary patient care plan activities.

During this time, information regarding patient status should be discussed with the hospitalists and other team members.

Physicians may be assigned duty as a supervising or collaborating physician for a Physician Assistant. Physicians are expected to provide clinical oversight and review.

Supervising or collaborating responsibilities and performance will be noted in the physician's performance evaluation.

Providers will need to act as surrogates for the patients of their colleagues, when one or more of their colleagues are on leave.

All physicians need to follow departmental and VHA policies for leave and attendance and will work within Title 38 appointment guidelines.

Currently VHA guidelines do not permit comp time or overtime pay for physicians. Quality of care should meet professional standards at all times.

All physicians will work within their privileges at all times, unless necessitated by an emergency.

During the course of employment, participation in special projects pertinent to assigned sub-specialty may be necessary as the projects become available with strategic or other initiatives.

Timely documentation and encounter are necessary in all areas in accordance with Facility Medical Staff By-Laws. All administrative work should be completed in a timely fashion.

There may be a need for participation in process improvement projects, committees, or workgroups when pulmonary expertise is needed. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized for highly qualified candidates. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more.

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a 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.

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, 7:30am - 4:00pm or 8:00am - 4:30pm.

Additional information may be provided during an interview.