Physician - Gastroenterology

Summary: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program 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 review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the basic requirements as listed below, plus 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
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Additional Requirement: Board Certification in Gastroenterology – or – Internal Medicine (Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit

Duties

• Provide educational instruction and training for University of Oklahoma residents/fellows assigned to Gastroenterology rotations at the VA
• Review medical history and conduct a detailed physical exam
• Interpret laboratory and diagnostic results
• Diagnose GI conditions and assist and/or perform procedures
• Assess and treat patients in the inpatient and outpatient areas
• Perform screening examinations – complete History & Physical exams and progress notes
• Perform basic diagnostic procedures
• Prescribe inpatient and outpatient medications
• Write appropriate orders for inpatient and/or outpatient treatment
• Participate in on call rotation

Benefits & Compensation

• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Available
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment)
• Program approval – award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years)
• Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply
• Pay: Competitive salary – annual performance bonus – regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 50–55 days per year (26 days annual leave – 13 days 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% 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 U.S. 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 through Friday 7:30 am to 4 pm