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. Learn more.

Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): NA Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Authorized to apply 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 works within her or his privileges at all times. The Gastroenterologist is expected to maintain current knowledge and skills. She or he must be able to deliver interventions throughout the full spectrum of gastroenterology care, i.e., she or he is expected to maintain good diagnostic and therapeutic acumen. Primary duties are to perform full general gastrointestinal examinations on established or newly consulted patients, including electronic consultations (eConsults) in the Gastroenterology clinics, inpatient wards or Emergency Department for signs or symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction. The Gastroenterologist will ensure communication with the hospitalists regarding inpatients and/or potential admissions. The Gastroenterologist oversees the administration of moderate sedation. The Gastroenterologist performs gastroenterology procedures including: EGD (gastroscopy) Paracentesis EGD with Peg Esophageal manometry ERCP Liver biopsy Colonoscopy 24 hr pH monitor Responsibilities will include performing Compensation and Pension exams and/or reviews, participation in quality assurance programs and chart reviews and completing medical records in accordance with Medical Staff Bylaws, Rules and Regulations. The Chief, Gastroenterology Section exercises corporate citizenship by serving as a leader and/or active member on Medical Center committees as requested and attending Medical Service Staff meetings and meetings of the Medical/Dental staff. Teaches effectively and creatively and provides guidance to others involved in the delivery of the educational program. The Chief, Gastroenterology Section provides expanded access to services via off normal tour or on-call periods. Administrative Duties: Participates in quality assurance programs and chart reviews, Peer Reviews, and Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE) for gastroenterology staff. Ensures communication with the hospitalists, other services and other facilities. Resolves all patient and employee complaints related to the Gastroenterology Section. Provides leadership to the gastroenterology team and supervises all mid-level providers, neurologists and neurodiagnostic technicians. Chairs gastroenterology staff meetings Maintains Basic Life Support Certification and completes all mandatory training, including Human Resource training sessions for supervisors. Initiates/implements and reviews/updates all gastroenterology policies and procedures as appropriate Assist with recruitment and orientation of gastroenterology staff Works collaboratively with the nurse manager to initiate/effect changes or improve services. Demonstrates knowledge of and promotes performance improvement in meeting organizational goals. 4. Supervision: Practices independently, using professional judgment and expertise to make decisions about services and treatment provided to veterans and their significant others/family members. Incumbent is given authority to make his/her own work assignments within the program area to which assigned. Consults with the supervisor as needed and with colleagues to develop knowledge and apply agency policies and practices to new matters. His/her work is reviewed for technical adequacy and conformance with procedures and practices applicable to the subject. Uses initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from traditional methods or trends and patterns to develop new methods, criteria, and proposed new policies. Practices at an advanced level and independently gathers relevant information to guide practice. Reports to the Chief, Medical Service and/or his/her designee. Work Schedule: FT Schedule TBD

Requirements

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. Additional Requirement: Preferred Experience: Board Certification or eligibility in Gastroenterology 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: The physician should be physically and mentally capable to perform the duties of the position. Physical activities include heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; sitting; standing; walking; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted).

Education

1. Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted, or
2. Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association for the year in which the degree was granted.
3. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, facility officials must verify with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) that the applicant has met requirements for certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. [If the applicant does not claim an ECFMG certificate, facility officials must still confirm that the medical school meets (or met) ECFMG eligibility requirements for the year the candidate graduated.]

Contacts

• Address Togus VA Medical Center 1 VA Center Augusta, ME 04330 US
• Name: Troy Hall
• Phone: 207-623-8411 X4791
• Email: [email protected]