About this role
Job SummaryThe Medicine Service provides care in multiple settings: inpatient medicine units, intensive care units (ICUs), outpatient primary care and specialty clinics, and the Emergency Department (ED). GI physicians assigned to the GI consult service provide acute evaluation and care for inpatients on the wards, in the ICUs, and in the ED. GI physicians assigned to the outpatient specialty GI clinic provide evaluation, consultation, and direct care for outpatients in that setting.
QualificationsTo 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 allopathic 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 accrediting bodies for graduate medical education, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA), in the list published for the year the residency, or fellowship if applicable, was completed; OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship, first year of residency, or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States; OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement), 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. Exceptions: 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 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. In rare and unusual circumstances, the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer, who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience, accomplishments, performance, and qualifications warrant such action. Board Certification: Physicians must be board certified or board eligible in Gastroenterology (GI) 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). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours); Pushing (1 - 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 4 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted).
Major DutiesDuties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Ultimately responsible for the oversight of all aspects of GI care delivered to their assigned patients. Provide care to patients and/or assist fellows, residents, medical students, and nurse practitioners in the proper evaluation and treatment of the patient, as well as actively participate in corrective actions when complications occur related to indicated GI interventions/procedures. Directly assess hospitalized ward and ICU patients for changes in GI system conditions. A history and physical note, with the appropriate level of detail, will be entered into the electronic medical record along with an appropriate assessment and treatment plan for acute and ongoing care as well as when the time comes for discharge/discharge planning, and all should occur within 24 hours of patient contact. A progress note is written in the patient's EMR daily and within 24 hours of patient contact. Notes also may include concurrence with notes written by fellows, residents, or students supervised by the appropriate GI attending physician. Assess (in a timely manner) and recommend treatment for medicine ward patients they are consulted to evaluate for various GI disease states. The assessment and treatment recommendations should be clearly communicated to the consulting inpatient physician/team in both direct verbal and written (via the electronic medical record) manner, in the appropriate level of detail for the question at hand. Assess (in a timely manner) and recommend treatment for primary care patients that are referred to them in specialty clinic setting regarding various GI conditions/disease states. The assessment and treatment recommendations should be clearly communicated to the consulting physician/practitioner in either e-Consult or CPRS note template format. Maintain all VA-mandated certifications, including BLS, ACLS, airway management (as part of conscious sedation protocol), and complete all required TMS modules and other mandatory VA training requirements per hospital regulations. They will also code encounters/notes as required by the coding and billing office, and comply with efforts to close all open encounters. Physicians with research 8ths and/or VA grants will be expected to follow all VA policies and procedures related to research, have all studies opened at the RLR VAMC, and conduct their research on VA property while on VA time. They are required to strictly adhere to MOU time requirements when they are part-time VA employed physician researchers. During scheduled tour hours, staff GI physicians shall be available for all urgent assessments and interventions as part of the inpatient care team. Evening and/or night call may be required as determined by service needs. Participate in various hospital committees, Medicine Service and hospital in-service programs, and education programs of the medicine service and hospital. They are also involved in continuous quality improvement through the VA peer review process. Shall be responsible for graduate and undergraduate medical education and scientific research, as their credentials and privileges allow. Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Work Schedule: Intermittent- without compensation. After hours and weekend call, hours will fluctuate based on needs of medical center.RequirementsU.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.