Physician - Service Chief Gastroenterology

Full Job Description

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. 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.

Additional Requirement: Board Eligible or Board Certified Preferred Experience: 2+ years experience leading a team Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: In Accordance With VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Major Duties:

As Service Chief of Gastroenterology, you will shape the direction of a service that anchors complex specialty care for Veterans at VANJHCS.

This role carries the responsibility of advancing high-quality digestive health services, strengthening cross-campus collaboration between East Orange and Lyons, and fostering an environment where Veterans receive coordinated, compassionate, and consistently excellent care.

Section Leadership & Operations Provide leadership and oversight for the Gastroenterology Section within the Specialty Medicine Service Line, ensuring effective coordination of outpatient clinics, inpatient consult coverage, and endoscopic procedures.

Oversee scheduling, staffing, and timely completion of e-consults. Clinical Care Delivery Provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient consultative gastroenterology care.

Deliver diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures and maintain high standards of clinical practice, professionalism, and Veteran experience.

About 75% of your time will be spent on clinical responsibilities.

Consult Management & Access Collaborate with facility and VISN partners to ensure timely triage and processing of GI consultations, supporting access targets and continuity of care.

Quality, Safety & Performance Improvement Lead performance improvement initiatives within the Gastroenterology Section, working with nursing and scheduling teams to enhance efficiency, clinical outcomes, and process redesign.

Education & Academic Partnership Support the education of medical students, residents, and fellows rotating through the GI consultation service and endoscopy suite, in partnership with the system's academic affiliate.

Ensure a high-quality learning environment and appropriate trainee supervision. Committee & Administrative Participation Represent the Gastroenterology Section on relevant committees and councils.

Attend clinical and administrative staff meetings as required by the Chief of Specialty Medicine and facility leadership. Participate in strategic planning and help expand clinical initiatives.

Administrative responsibilities account for about 25% of time in this role.

Customer Service & Professional Conduct Model courteous, tactful, and respectful communication with Veterans, families, volunteers, and all medical center staff.

Provide consistent information according to policy and resolve conflicts constructively. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment):Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 through Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm