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. Qualified candidates must be eligible for a faculty appointment in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of New Mexico based upon qualifications and experience. 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: 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: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over): Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted. ["Staff Gastroenterologists provide a broad range of Gastroenterology and Hepatology services to Veterans. Each Gastroenterologist functions as a cooperative and collegial team member with the entire staff. The incumbent will share responsibility for inpatient teaching rounds, inpatient consultation, and outpatient clinic. The Staff Gastroenterologist will perform diagnostic studies and therapeutic procedures with standard endoscopic techniques. The incumbent will access, stabilize, and determine the disposition of patients with emergent conditions consistent with medical staff policy. Experience with ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound are preferred. The Gastroenterologist in this position will also support inpatient and subspecialty services through consultations and Primary Care and Urgent Care Providers via phone, e-consults, and outpatient consults. He/She will provide consultation and follow-up through Gastroenterology Virtual Telehealth (CVT) Clinic and communicate with patients directly by phone or through secure messaging via My HealtheVet. The Gastroenterologist will interact through didactic teaching, demonstration, and observation of performance by Medical Students, Medical Residents and Fellows. The Gastroenterologist will provide knowledge and performance feedback via discussions and written evaluations. This position has the possibility of obtaining a faculty appointment with the Division of Gastroenterology and Department of Medicine at the University of New Mexico. Qualified candidates must be eligible for a faculty appointment in the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of New Mexico based upon qualifications and experience. In this role the in incumbent would perform scholarly and other activity related to their role as Faculty. Albuquerque and Northern New Mexico are a wonderful place to live, with a year-round sunny and low humidity climate, ethnic diversity, endless outdoor activities (hiking, biking, mountains, and skiing), and Santa Fe with renowned art, music, and opera is only 60 minutes away. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Incentives are authorized for highly qualified candidates who possess unique skills and competencies. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Contact natasha.brant@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 staff Gastroenterologist will be responsible for, but not limited to the following duties: Physician should have expertise in Gastroenterology and be able to treat and manage patients who have illnesses related to General Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. Physician should also be proficient and privileged in procedures related to Gastroenterology. Provide comprehensive care to include diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and education of patients with Gastroenterology conditions in the outpatient, inpatient and community living center settings. Complete documentation and coding of visits accurately and timely. Perform colonoscopies and EGD's. Evaluate, triage, and prioritize Gastroenterology consult requests to ensure timely care for patients. Conduct telemedicine visits for patients in outlying clinics. Perform administrative tasks as assigned, such as peer reviews, Compensation and Pension evaluations, and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations (OPPE). Coordinate care at VA or non-VA referral centers for patients requiring services not provided at the facility. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
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.