Podiatrist (General)

Full Job Description

The Podiatrist provides quality patient care in collaboration with other health care professionals.

The incumbent will perform specific duties within his/her approved scope of practice and must be able to give authoritative views and opinions on subjects in their field of medicine.

Podiatrists treat such common conditions as bunions, corns and calluses, and ingrown toenails.

Staff Medical Podiatrists perform office-based procedures and generally work a set 40-hour per week schedule.

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 United States Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen.

Education: 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~ Residency: 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~ License: 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.

~AND~ English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C.

7402(d) and 7407(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Staff Requirements: Staff Podiatrist Medical: None beyond basic requirements.

The individual must have completed an accredited residency, and/or possess experience to perform general podiatric duties and some specialized functions and procedures, without supervision.

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

Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019. This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health.

This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs., carrying objects up to 15 lbs., frequent reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, hands and legs, use of cranes and motor vehicles, walking & standing up to 8 hours, bending and climbing and able to hear whisper.

The incumbent must be physically, emotionally and mentally stable in order to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others. Major Duties:

Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Provide podiatric services in outpatient, urgent care, inpatient, and telehealth settings, including the diagnosis/treatment/management of podiatric medical and surgical disorders and conditions.

Perform podiatric procedures in the office setting. Perform clinical review, triage, and management of podiatric consults. Ensure accurate and timely medical record documentation.

Participate in committees, peer review process, and other administrative responsibilities as assigned by the Chief of Specialty Service, the Medical Director of Specialty Medicine/Surgery, or other designee.

Biomedical Evaluation of the Lower Extremities to assist in the management of Pathology by controlling the contribution of abnormal gait and foot functions to the patients' symptomology.

Neuropathic or Vascular Ulcerations Osteoarthritis of the bunion joint Development and use of devices which disperse or remove weight bearing from certain parts of the foot which are ulcerated or painful together with necessary local care of local pathology.

Identification/treatment of "static" foot problems (e.g.

heel pain, flatfoot deformity, hammer toes), by performance of bio mechanical evaluation of the lower extremities and utilization of highly specific devices which place the foot or digits in a more functional position and redistribute weight bearing to reduce or eliminate discomfort, ulceration Local care of corns, calluses and pedal ulceration.

Local care of deformed, painful and/or infected nails which may result in significant extension of infection, ulceration, disability, or gangrene; particularly in patients predisposed to infection or its extension by systemic disease (diabetes mellitus) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Ad hoc for weather related safety leave only Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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