The VA Texas Coastal Bend Health Care System is seeking a full-time Physician (Gastroenterologist) to provide comprehensive care for patients who have illnesses within the scope of Gastroenterology, with an additional focus on patients with hepatitis. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) 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. 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. 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: 3-5 years years of Gastroenterolgoist experience, preferably in VA or the Department of Defense. Advanced skills to provide a full range of Gastroenterology evaluations to determined the types of degree of illnesses with the Gastroenterology scope. Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine (Resdency) 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 pounds; light carrying, under 15 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (6hrs); Standing (6hrs); Repeated bending (2hrs); Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; 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; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental/emotional stability; Ability to perform privileges; Independently performs physical exam as appropriate to position; Cognitive stability ["The Gastroenterology staff physician should be skilled in providing patient care and in coordinating the activities of other health care providers. He/she should be an effective teacher for fellow staff members, house staff medical students and in allied health care disciplines. It is desirable that the physician have demonstrated research abilities. The Gastroenterology staff physician will be located at the Health Care Center (HCC), Ambulatory Surgery Center in Harlingen, Texas. RESPONSIBILITIES: The Gastroenterology staff physician is responsible for providing primary, secondary, and tertiary care in both hospitalized and outpatient settings, identifying patients' health problems and designing diagnostic and therapeutic plans to meet these needs. He/she is responsible for coordinating activities of other health service personnel, resolving problems affecting patient care and providing appropriate education for the patient/family members regarding the patient's care, patient's illness and its management. A major percentage of the physician's time will be devoted to patient care. Depending on other activities, sufficient time will be allotted to administrative duties. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Authorized, \"See details in Education Section\" 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"]
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Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.