The Eugene J. Towbin VA Healthcare Center in North Little Rock, AR is seeking a full-time Physician (Clinical Investigator). 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. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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. Must possess and maintain all required licensures and certifications for continued employment. Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) is required. Note: A current copy of BLS certification must be submitted prior to entering on duty. Preferences: ~ Holds a current Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy. ~ Has a strong track record of obtaining Federal grant funding from either the Veterans Affairs (VA) or National Institutes of Health (NIH). ~ Is qualified for appointment at the Associate to Professor Level in the Clinical Investigator track at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). ~ Has a strong track record of publishing in peer-review journals. ~ Possesses good leadership and communication skills. ~ Has an established track record in one of the research focus areas of the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), which include: basic and translational research in Alzheimer's dementia and related neuropsychiatric problems, Exercise Interventions including the mechanisms of exercise adherence, and Palliative Care and hospice; at the end of life. Physical Requirements: Function Requirements Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; Reaching above shoulder; Walking (2-4 hours); Standing (2-6 hours); Kneeling (1-2) hours; Repeated bending (12 hours); Both legs required; 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; Hearing (aid permitted). Environmental Factors Outside and inside; Working closely with others; Working alone; Protracted or irregular hours of work. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VHA Physician Total Rewards Relocation/Recruitment Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized for highly qualified candidate. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of annual paid time offer 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 Major Duties and Responsibilities: ~ Conduct research, educate healthcare professionals and trainees, and develop and disseminate innovative evidenced-based clinical programs. ~ Function as an independent provider when covering a clinical service or working with patients as part of Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) initiatives. ~ Support all Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) education initiatives and support other aspects of the facility's clinical education program. ~ Work appropriately with the service to meet research mandates by obtaining research grant support and conducting high-quality clinical and/or health services research independently and in collaboration with other investigators. ~ Oversee all aspects of each proposed research project including ensuring compliance with all regulatory mandates, managing budgets and project personnel, experimental design, data analysis, and dissemination of findings in the form of written peer-reviewed scientific publications, and presentations at national meetings. ~ Responsible for the productivity of his/her research program. ~ Other responsibilities of this position include: 1) training and overseeing assistants and trainees in carrying out research tasks for specific projects; 2) mentoring junior investigators; 2) serving on leadership committees; and 3) developing and strengthening research collaborations. ~ Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30pm."]
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.
