Summary

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.

Qualifications

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 years of service chief experience in pathology and lab department Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Work Schedule: Monday - Friday and some Saturdays - 7:30am - 4:00pm 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 of Pathology/Lab Director is a senior management position reporting directly to the Chief of Staff
• The Chief of Pathology/Lab Director is responsible for the overall leadership - planning - operations - performance - and administration of the Laboratory service line that spans across the entire VA PIHCS catchment area
• Responsibilities include but not limited to: Oversees the staff and operations of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine (P&LM)
• Oversees clinical operations with responsibility for quality outcomes and patient safety
• Serves as a voting member of the Executive Council of the Medical Staff and all other appropriate committees
• Participates in quality control/quality management (including department and facility level peer reviews)
• Compliance with VHA and facility credentialing and privileging processes - including coordination with the Professional Standards Board as applicable
• Ensure appropriate response to suspenses - Congressional inquiries - compliance with standards of the VA Inspector General - The Join Commission - CARF (P&LM) and other survey bodies as well as VHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration and safety and environment of care standards
• Participates in applicable cross-organizational performance-improvement activities - develops and communicates objectives - and coordinates efforts to integrate patient care and support services
• Working with the University - Department of Defense partners - and community lab partners to meet performance measures - education mission and provide outstanding medical care
• Participate in organizational planning to include strategic - operational - programmatic and other plans and policies to achieve the mission and vision of VAPIHCS
• Despite the incumbent's extensive administrative responsibilities - they maintain a clinical workload - providing exceptional - high quality medical health care to Veteran enrollees
• Participating in the resources allocation process of the Service to include provision of sufficient number of qualified and competent persons to provide patient care - as well as - recommending acquisition of necessary equipment and supplies and adequate space to provide such services
• Administrative functions will include - but not limited to - budget and fiscal management - human resource management - strategic planning - and program development
• Taking appropriate action in matters such as promotions - selections - on the job training - awards - EEO complaints - labor relations - disciplinary actions - training - and career development
• Participate in and support the educational mission of the Medical Center
• Serves as Acting Chief of Staff if requested
• Additional Responsibilities can be found in VHA Handbook 1106.01 \"Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) Procedures\".