Staff Physician- Home Base Primary Care (HBPC)

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.

Preferred Experience: 3-5 years in a home based care program Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: This position requires a full range of physical activity, lifting and carrying, pulling, pushing, reaching at and above the shoulders, use of both hands and fingers, walking, standing, sitting, kneeling, repeated bending, and the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.

Adequate hearing (aid permitted), mental and emotional stability required. Major Duties:

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 vhaedrpprogramsupport@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 The Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) Team Physician is appointed by the HBPC Medical Director, who is responsible for the overall medical care delivered by the HBPC team to our Veterans.

NOTE: In facilities with academic affiliations, the HBPC Team Physician is encouraged to have a faculty appointment and be involved in academic activities.

The HBPC Team Physician is responsible for the following areas but is not limited to: 1) HBPC Team Physician will report directly to the HBPC Medical Director.

2) The HBPC Team Physician may assume additional responsibilities and collaborating duties as directed by the HBPC Medical Director to support the HBPC expansion program as needed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES HBPC Team Physician. The HBPC team physician is responsible for:

Overall medical responsibility for assigned HBPC patients.

Serving as primary care provider and collaborative physician for advanced practice nurses and PAs, and backup for other HBPC primary care providers.

Identifying patients' medical problems.

Defining medical management plans for patients' problems.

Determining and coordinating consultations with subspecialty clinics.

Facilitating hospital admissions and care transitions.

Conducting home visits for medical evaluation and treatment as needed.

Providing medical administrative support, including physician orders and forms.

Overseeing the education and clinical experience of medical trainees in the HBPC Program.

Leading continuous performance improvement initiatives in HBPC.

Being available for team collaboration on clinical or program issues.

Participating in developing care plans at interdisciplinary meetings for assigned patients. Scope of Duties: a.

HBPC provides comprehensive, lifelong, primary care to aging Veterans with complex, chronic diseases, unlike the episodic, time-limited care covered by programs like Medicare. b.

HBPC is patient-centered, focusing on the patient and caregiver, and tailoring care and treatment plans to their needs and preferences. c.

HBPC primarily targets three types of patients needing home care:

Longitudinal care for patients with chronic, complex conditions, especially those at high risk of hospitalization, nursing home care, or recurrent emergency visits.

Longitudinal care for patients needing palliative care for advanced, life-limiting diseases resistant to treatment.

Patients whose home care needs are expected to be of short duration or for a focused problem, when such services best help the facility meet the needs of this population GOALS The goals of care for HBPC patients include: a.

Promoting maximum health and independence by providing comprehensive care and optimizing physical, cognitive, and psychosocial function. b.

Reducing the need for, and providing alternatives to, hospitalization and other care through longitudinal monitoring, early intervention, and a safe home environment. c.

Assisting the transition from healthcare facility to home with education, rehabilitation, home adaptation, and coordination of supportive services, including home Telehealth. d.

Supporting the caregiver in Veteran care. e. Meeting the changing needs and preferences of the Veteran and family throughout chronic disease, including end-of-life care. f.

Enhancing quality of life through symptom management and comfort measures. g. Allowing the Veteran the option to die at home rather than in an institution. h.

Helping the Veteran and family cope with all elements of chronic disease. i.

Promoting skilled home care professionals by providing a clinical setting for trainees to experience interdisciplinary primary care in the home. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm