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. Preferred Experience: Board eligibility/certification in internal medicine. Board eligibility/certification in rheumatology. Training/certification in musculoskeletal ultrasound. Experience in supervising trainees in an academic program or academic affiliate program. 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: Light lifting (under 15 lbs), use of fingers, both hands required, walking (1 hour), standing (4 hours), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), and mental and emotional stability. Environmental Requirements: Radiant energy, electrical energy, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working with hands in water, working closely with others, working alone, and protracted or irregular work hours. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. This is an open-continuous announcement and will remain open until September 29, 2023, or until the position is filled (if a selection is made and offer accepted, announcement will be closed). Qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official every two weeks from the opening date of the announcement. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be Eligible for Highly Qualified Applicants Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Contact Jennifer Isbell-Gross, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance, jennifer.isbell-gross@va.gov 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 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: This position is located in the Specialty Medicine Service Line at the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks and reports directly to the Chief of Medicine. Physician provides consultation services and follow up of medical subspecialty patients, in the inpatient and/or outpatient setting at the VA Medical Center in Fayetteville, AR. MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: The incumbent should have strong interpersonal skills to establish professional working relationships with other clinicians and staff throughout the facility and the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). The staff Rheumatologist will be responsible for, but not limited to the following duties: - Provides an infusion clinic for patients requiring biologics and IV bisphosphonates. - Reviews and examines all patients with the fellows and also the clinical pharmacists. - Reviews no-shows, contacting patients for abnormal lab tests, review of requests for refill. - Provides ongoing care for patients with a wide variety of Rheumatologic conditions - Work collaboratively with other specialists to ensure patients receive continuous quality care and to provide endocrinology training as requested. - Attend staff meetings and service on committees, process improvement teams and workgroups as requested. Work Schedule: Compressed, to be negotiated during selection"]
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.