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. Program 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.

Duties

As the Staff Physician for Urology Service you will be responsible for patient care, patient/family education, and participation in any indicated clinical research. Provide comprehensive care for patients who have illnesses within the scope of Urology. The scope of these activities covers all phases of ambulatory care. Other responsibilities may include education of medical students and residents and/or supervision of other providers. The majority of the time is devoted to patient care and education, with the remaining time set aside for performance improvement activities, creative research to improve patient care, activities sufficient to maintain proficiency in state-of-the-art urology care. Administrative: -Write Medical Orders and prescriptions for non-controlled substances, as necessary, for the care of the patient in accordance with Federal and State law and approval of the supervising Physician. -Document care provided in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) in accordance with Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System requirements. -Document the detailed, targeted, initial history and physical examination required for evaluation in the electronic tool(s) required by VA. -Obtain consent and documents procedures performed for which the physician is responsible. -Provide education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs. -Review and revise policies and scope of practice/standards of operation to meet the needs of the National VA and VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System mandates -Review and guide protocols in chronic patient managements including coordinating efforts with prosthetics department to meet patients needs and maintain fiscal responsibility Clinical: Respond to and complete consults received for the evaluation of Urology including: -Perform a comprehensive, detailed, targeted, initial history and physical examination in compliance with national guidelines. -Order diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests, X-rays, electromyography (EMG), electrocardiograms (EKGs) and other tests. -Consult other disciplines, as necessary, to complete the patient evaluation -Carry out health promotion and disease prevention activities including education and shared decision-making. -Surgical competence in urology procedures is desirable and documentation of procedures within the past 12 months will be requested reflective of the scope of privileges requested -Participate in all VISN and national level efforts in urology programs VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive: May be offered to highly qualified individual in their first appointment to the federal government Relocation Incentive: May be offered to highly qualified VA employee relocating for this position. Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. See "Education" Section for additional information. Learn more. 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 Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit position. This is an open continuous announcement and will remain open until filled or the closing date. Eligible applications received will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

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. 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: 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. English Language Proficiency: Proficiency in spoken and written English. Preferred Experience: -Board certified or Board eligible by the American Board of Urology -Currently licensed in a State, Territory, or District of Columbia -Surgical competence in urology procedures 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 position requires light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (2 hours), standing (4-6 hours), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, and 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 VA TX Valley Coastal Bend HCS 2601 Veterans Drive Harlingen, TX 78550 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]