Staff Physician/Home Based 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: Primary Care Physician greater than 2 years, geriatrics experience preferred but not required.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: More information can be found in VA Handbook 5019.

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 visn15edrp@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 HBPC physician practices in the outpatient setting in the St.

Louis VA medical Center as well as in the Veterans home.

The physician is academically and clinically prepared to perform a broad spectrum of patient care services at the expert level, while respecting patient goals and values.

In addition to providing primary health care, the physician serves as a team leader and consultant to nursing and interdisciplinary staff for patients with complex treatment or care needs in the home.

The physician works collaboratively with interdisciplinary team members to develop, implement and coordinate the patient's care, which includes the development of clinically appropriate patient plans of plans.

The physician functions in a way that promotes communication, high quality care, patient satisfaction, positive clinical outcomes, and appropriate utilization of resources and cost effective services.

Provide primary medical care to assigned HBPC patients, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, outcome measurement, ordering diagnostic and therapeutic tests/studies, initiating consults and referrals, and prescribing medications/supplies in accordance with VA policy/formulary, State regulations and scope of practice.

Execute position responsibilities while demonstrating leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex patient care.

Demonstrate strong communication skills with team members, administration, Veterans and families.

The physician will visit potential, new and established HBPC patients in their homes and provide medical care for acute and chronic health problems and preventive medical care to include screening and vaccinations.

The physician will conduct follow-up visits at clinically appropriate intervals, collaborate with interdisciplinary team members in the care of patients, determine the need for and facilitate admissions and other transitions of care, as well as submit referrals for Specialty Service consultation and treatment as clinically indicated.

The physician will respond timely to patient/family phone calls or messages, attend and contribute to HBPC team and facility meetings, communicate effecitively with interdisciplinary team members, participate in quality improvement initiatives and customer service programs.

The physician must be fluent in English, both spoken and written.

The physician will complete documentation of care provided timely within program and Medical Center guidelines, and communicate test results to Veterans per local standards of care.

The physician will provide cross-coverage for H&CBC providers. This position will involve some (up to 20%) administrative and coordination duties in support of H&CBC related services.

When indicated, the HBPC physician may plan and direct the educational and clinical experience of medical students, residents and fellows assigned to the program, as well as serve as a clinical subject matter expert and leader for primary care colleagues and interdisciplinary staff.

Other Duties: Safety Shall conform to all VHA and local directives related to safety, life safety, health, hazardous materials and emergency management directives.

Age, Development, and Cultural Needs of Patients Considers all characteristics of the individual, including age and life stages, state of health, race, culture, values, and previous experiences.

Valid State Driver's License The position requires that the incumbent must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license.

Operation of a GOV Vehicle The position requires that the incumbent must be able to safely operate an assigned GOV vehicle, following all VA and respective State rules of the road, as well as complete all VA related training.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm