Physician - Hospice/Palliative Care

Hospice And Palliative Physicians

Hospice and Palliative physicians will be responsible for delivery of care to all patients enrolled in VA Medical Center Fargo healthcare system. The provider will manage scheduled and unscheduled patients in the outpatient clinic setting and provide services to patients in hospital and CLC. The providers in the outpatient setting are typically assigned a panel of patients to manage. Panel size currently is determined by utilizing VHA PCMM software. Panel size is determined at the National level, through a complex formula which extracts local information regarding the acuity of assigned patients, available support staff, and the number of exam rooms. Each provider's panel size is specific to their practice and setting. Alternative or collateral duties may include management of a subsection of hospice and palliative care patients, the subsection may be defined either by a disease status (e.g. spinal cord injury patients), or in the CLC or inpatient setting). Typically, these duties are designated at the time of joining but occasionally during employment, participation in special projects pertinent to assigned section may be necessary as the projects become available through strategic or other initiatives. Applying for and keeping inpatient privileges active is optional for primary care providers. When on inpatient duty, the provider is expected to participate in discharge planning and other interdisciplinary patient care plan activities. They must participate in sign-in and out rounds daily. During this time information regarding patient status should be discussed with the oncoming physician/MOD and ensure proper hand off at the end of the shift. Physicians may be assigned duty as a supervising or collaborating physician for a mid-level provider. Physicians are expected to provide clinical oversight and review. Supervising or collaborating responsibilities and performance will be noted in the physician's performance evaluation. Most providers will need to act as surrogates for the patients of their colleagues, when one or more of their colleagues are on leave. Typical work hours are Monday to Friday 8-4.30 PM. Alternative work hours, if desired, should be agreed upon at the time of joining. Each full-time provider is required to work a minimum of 80 hrs per pay period (every two weeks) unless on leave status. All physicians need to follow departmental and VHA policies for leave and attendance and will work within Title 38 appointment guidelines. Currently VHA guidelines do not permit comp time or overtime pay for physicians. However, physicians who are asked to work outside their normal assigned tour of duty may request administrative leave for rest and relaxation. Leaves should be requested in as much advance as possible to minimize patient cancellations. All unscheduled absences must be properly communicated, and patients should be rescheduled within a time frame as specified in the department's policies. Timely documentation is necessary in all areas in accordance with departmental policy. All administrative work should be completed in a timely fashion. Clinical reminders should be addressed as medically appropriate. Quality of care should be able to always meet professional standards. All physicians will always work within their privileges, unless necessitated by an emergency. All physicians will meet the work relative value unit (RVU's) as determined by the national office for primary care providers.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VHA Physician Total Rewards Work Schedule: May vary depending on deployment and/or assigned facility needs Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Available for highly-qualified applicant. 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

Preferred Experience: Hospice fellowship trained, hospice board certification, or one year hospice experience.