Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Light lifting - under 15 pounds - light carrying - under 15 pounds - straight pulling (2 hours) - pushing (2 hours) - use of fingers - walking (1hour) - standing (2 hours) - kneeling (2 hours) - repeated bending (2 hours) - climbing - legs only (1 hour) - far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - ability to distinguish basic colors - hearing (aid may be permitted) - able to use N-95 mask or PAPR
• See VA Handbook and Directive 5019.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Authorized Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN7EDRPFacilityCoordinators2@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• 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 General Surgeon is an integral member of the Surgery Section medical staff
• He/she is responsible for performing general procedures on patients referred to the Surgery Service by Primary Care and Specialty providers
• Additionally the General Surgeon will - Perform initial histories and physical examinations on inpatients and outpatients
• Provide ongoing outpatient and inpatient care for assigned patients
• Screen outpatients to determine need for further care
• Prescribe medications within defined scope of practice
• Order diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests - x-rays - electrocardiograms (EKG's)
• Carry out health promotion and disease prevention activities
• Draw blood specimens for testing and performing other comparable lab procedures as needed
• Initiate and expediting requests for consultations and scheduling special tests and studies
• Make interim summaries of the patient's medical record
• Dictate history and physicals - admission notes - and discharge summaries
• Dictate notes on procedures performed for which the Surgeon is responsible through participating in the care of Veteran patients in the Operating Room
• Mix - start - and administrate IV solutions/medications
• Assist in continuing the lapraroscopic/endoscopic/surgical program at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center
• Provide consultative services in the Urgent Care Center
• Share night call and weekends with other Surgeons
• Provide education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care - medical conditions and use of prescribed treatments and drugs
• Provide age-appropriate care for the adult and geriatric patient
• Responsible for understanding the aging process and to modify treatment plans to accommodate the changes that occur with aging
• Assist with collateral duties within the surgery section
• Assist with collateral duties within the Surgery Service
• Additional duties may be assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00AM - 4:30PM - (subject to change based on agency needs)