Career Center

The South Texas VA Health Care System is currently seeking a Primary Care Physician for the VA Clinic, Victoria, Texas. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), 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. Education: 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. Licensure and Registration: 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: Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR 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. Physical Requirements: See outlined below. English Language Proficiency: Physicians appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7402(d) and 7407(d). Preferred Experience: Board Certified in Internal Medicine/Family Medicine Experience after training Recent Primary Care experience Experience with Veterans Affairs or DOD Women's Health experience 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: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (6hrs); Standing (6hrs); Repeated bending (2-4hrs); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental/ Emotional Stability; Ability to perform privileges Independently perform physical exam; Cognitive Stability ["Primary care physicians will be responsible for delivery of outpatient primary care to patients enrolled in STVHCS. The physician and Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) will manage a panel of patients to provide primary care needs, including acute and chronic illness, gender-specific PC, women's health and mental health (Screen for conditions such as depression, substance use/abuse, military sexual trauma and PTSD. Evaluate and treat uncomplicated mental health disorders as well as substance use disorders and refer patients appropriately for further evaluation and treatment of sexual assault and military sexual trauma, mental health disorders and substance use disorders) Preventative care (age-appropriate cancer screening e.g., colon, breast and cervical cancer - as well as weight management counseling, Chlamydia screening (when indicated), smoking cessation and immunizations, etc.) Coordination of care delivery (when specialty care is needed, the primary care provider will coordinate this care and communicate with the specialty provider regarding the evaluation and treatment plan to ensure continuity of care). Possess an understanding of the particular needs of women across the age spectrum. Responsible for providing comprehensive primary health services to female patients and for complying with metrics for performance measures. These services include focused gender-specific history, pelvic and clinical breast examinations, cervical cancer screening, expanded history and education related to patient's age and health status (9 Healthy Messages as promoted by the National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, clinical reminders, HPV vaccine, sexually transmitted infections/diseases, preconception counseling, contraception/family planning, breast and cervical cancer screenings, menopause, pelvic floor function/incontinence). The PACT Model is a patient-driven, team-based approach that delivers efficient, comprehensive and continuous care through active communication and coordination of healthcare services through an interdisciplinary team that includes the PCP, RN care manager, LVN, clerical associate as well as other clinical services necessary to meet the health goals and needs of the Veteran patient including specialists. While the primary care provider's relationship with the Veteran patient will remain key, that bond will be augmented and strengthened by involving other health care staff as part of an integrated team. Together the team takes responsibility for the Veteran patient's ongoing care through a cooperative effort among all members. As a member of the team, the Veteran patient is an active participant in decisions while being provided information and encouragement to exercise ownership of his/her health. The Veteran patient, with support from other members of the team, becomes engaged in his or her health care, ensuring the health care system best serves his/her individual needs. Alternative or collateral duties may include management of a subsection of primary care patients, the subsection may be defined either by a disease status, or demographic status (e.g., women veterans, OIF/OEF veterans, employees, etc.). Typically these duties are designated at the time of joining but occasionally during the course of employment, participation in special projects pertinent to assigned section may be necessary as the projects become available through strategic or other initiatives. Physicians may be assigned duty as a supervising or collaborating physician for one or more mid-level providers. Physicians are expected to provide clinical oversight and review the care provided by mid-level practitioners. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (08:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized\nEducation Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Authorized, see details in \"Education Section\"\nPay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases\nPaid Time Off: 50-55 days of annual paid time offer 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)\nRetirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA\nInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)\nLicensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory\nCME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)\nMalpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided\nContract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting"]