This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Applicants must meet physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required. This is a designated drug testing position. After appointment, you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Requires lifting 15-44 pounds; pushing (approx. 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers and both hands; walking and standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Hearing aid is permitted. ["**This is an OPEN CONTINOUS ANNOUNCMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2023. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be February 13, 2023 with subsequent cut-off dates every 2 weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.** VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Position Eligible Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Contact Susan.Bringel@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 Chief, Gastroenterology Section, Medical Service is assigned to the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System (VASNHCS), Medical Service providing comprehensive, efficient, compassionate, high quality healthcare to all patients, functioning as a member of the Medical Service team providing clinical care to the patients at VASNHCS.Duties include but are not limited to: Provide direct patient care and physician coverage in all clinical programs within the GI Section, Medical Service, VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, including GI clinic, inpatient and outpatient GI consults, and inpatient and outpatient GI endoscopies. Evening/night, weekend and holiday call is shared with other members of the GI Section. Proficiency in both emergent and elective diagnostic therapeutic colonoscopies and upper GI endoscopies. Ensure that gastroenterology care is delivered in accordance with hospital policy, meeting or exceeding community standards and VHA national benchmarks. Ensures care of patients in the outpatient and inpatient settings are smooth, patient-centric and safe. Including collaboration with other specialties, the emergency department, and/or clinics admitting patients to the hospital. Develop strong, collegial working relationships with other Chiefs within the facility - both clinical and administrative - and with other Section Chiefs within the Medical Service. Actively participates and oversee the development and implementation of system redesign projects, quality improvement activities within the GI Section, Medical Service and at the facility level. Serve as Acting Deputy Associate Chief of Staff (DACOS) and/or Acting Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS), Medical Service in the absence of the D/ACOS, working with the D/ACOS and others on faculty and program development, collaboration with nurse practitioners, and other administrative functions of the Medical Service. The Chief, Gastroenterology Section, Medical Service, will provide patient care in all aspects of gastroenterology services that s/he have been credentialed and privileged for by the VASNHCS Medical Executive Committee. Research and other scholarly activity are encouraged and available. The Chief, Gastroenterology Section is responsible for the GI Endoscopy and GI Clinic operations, including, but not limited to, ensuring GI provider coverage and on-call schedules. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.