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. 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: Board Certification 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: Physical Standards/Requirements: See VA Handbook 5005, Part III, Chapter 2, paragraph 7, and VA Handbook 5019, Occupational Health Services. All applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the duties of the position. The selected candidate should be physically and mentally capable to perform the duties of the position. Physical activity includes sitting, standing (up to 2 hours), walking (up to 2 hours), bending and reaching. ["The Chief of Pain Services directs and oversees the clinical functions of the various SAC Pain Section's clinical services. This includes the oversight of clinical and administrative care services within the Specialty and Acute Care (SAC) Service Line at the VA Bedford HCS. Responsible for supervision of the clinical staff who report under Pain Section. The Chief of Pain Services is charged with overseeing the delivery of clinical care, in close partnership with and reports to the Service Line Manager of the Specialty and Acute Care Clinics. Metrics include: quality, patient satisfaction, employee satisfaction and most importantly, efficiency. As a leader, the Chief of Pain Services will act and lead as a change agent and liaison. Mentorship and motivation of the Pain Clinics staff will be critical to the success of the Chief of Pain Services. The Chief of Pain Services will work collaboratively to develop a culture that is transparent and non-punitive but also fosters strong accountability and personal commitment to the VA Bedford HCS. The Chief of Pain Services works within a cooperative structure in conjunction with the SAC Service Line Manager, Nurse Manager, Administrative Officer, and other SAC supervisors as well as other service lines within the facility (Primary Care, Mental Health, Geriatric, inpatient and long term care units, Police, Business Office, Logistics, etc.). Clinical Responsibilities: Pain Services Chief supervises Pain Service staff including physicians and other clinicians as they provide clinical care and is credentialed and privileged as appropriate by the facility. The incumbent consults with and serves as a resource for other professional staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. Academic Teaching/Training: Chief of Pain Services provides guidance for any clinical trainee activity, working with the Service Line Manager, Associate Chief of Staff for Education, and affiliated educational institutions as needed. Research and Development: Chief of Pain Services supports the advancement of new knowledge in the provision of urgent care services. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. 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: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 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.
