Physician (MD / DO) - Rheumatologist - SIGN ON BONUS

Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Rheumatologists are able to perform all services required in the subspecialty practice of rheumatology in the context of the VA system and their clinical privileges. Educational experiences are also provided to appropriate health care personnel who are involved in inpatient care.

Duties

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VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : May be available for highly qualified candidates

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

Duties and Responsibilities of Rheumatologists

• Responsible for the oversight of all aspects of Rheumatologic care delivered to their assigned patients
• Provide care to patients and / or assist fellows, residents, medical students, and nurse practitioners in proper evaluation and treatment of patients. Actively participate in corrective actions when complications occur related to indicated rheumatologic interventions / procedures. Recognize the need for palliative and / or hospice care consults and be active in addressing advance directives in the appropriate clinical settings
• Directly assess hospitalized ward and ICU patients for changes in joint and rheumatologic-related conditions. A history and physical note, with the appropriate level of detail, will be entered into the electronic medical record along with an appropriate assessment and treatment plan for acute and ongoing care as well as when the time comes for discharge / discharge planning, and all should occur within 24 hrs of patient contact. A progress note is entered in the patient's EMR daily, also within 24 hours of patient contact. Notes also may include concurrence with notes written by fellows, residents, or students supervised by the appropriate rheumatology attending physician.
• Will also assess (in a timely manner) and recommend treatment for medicine ward patients they are consulted to evaluate for various rheumatologic disease states. The assessment and treatment recommendations should be clearly communicated to the consulting inpatient physician / team in both direct verbal and written (via the electronic medical record) manner, in the appropriate level of detail for the question at hand
• Will also assess (in a timely manner) and recommend treatment for primary care patients that are referred to them in specialty clinic setting regarding various rheumatologic conditions / disease states. The assessment and treatment recommendations should be clearly communicated to the consulting physician / practitioner in either e-Consult or CPRS note template format.
• Maintain all VA-mandated certifications, including BLS; ACLS & airway management (as part of conscious sedation protocol, if necessary and requested for privileging), and complete all required TMS modules and other mandatory VA training requirements per hospital regulations. They will also code encounters / notes as required by the coding and billing office, and comply with efforts to close all open encounters.
• Staff Rheumatologists with research 8ths and / or VA grants will be expected to follow all VA policies and procedures related to research, have all studies opened at the RLR VAMC, and conduct their research on VA property while on VA time. They are required to strictly adhere to MOU time requirements when they are part-time VA employed physician researchers.
• During scheduled tour hours, staff Rheumatologists shall be available for all urgent assessments and interventions as part of the inpatient care team.
• Participate in various hospital committees, Medicine Service and hospital in-service programs, and education programs of the medicine service and hospital. They are also involved in continuous quality improvement through the VA peer review process.
• Shall be responsible for graduate and undergraduate medical education and scientific research, as their credentials and privileges allow.

Work Schedule : Part-time / full-time available, Monday-Friday, 8 : 00am-5 : 00pm

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

your performance and conduct;

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 :

[(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.

Additional Requirement : Board eligibility and / or board certification required

Preferred Experience : Muscoskeletal ultrasound experience preferred

Reference : For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

Physical Requirements : Heavy Lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours); Pushing (1 - 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 4 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted).

Education

Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are :

NOTE : The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.

Additional information

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration / Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA / OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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