Nephrologist

Nephrology Physician

The Nephrology Physician (Nephrologist) provides comprehensive subspecialty nephrology care to Veterans in inpatient and outpatient settings and is responsible for ensuring high-quality, timely, patient-centered services that meet Joint Commission, Office of Inspector General, and VA standards. The incumbent ensures appropriate use of resources, maintains state-of-the-art standards of care, and collaborates effectively with other clinical and administrative services. The Nephrologist is accountable to the Nephrology Section Chief and the Chief, Medicine Service, for effective delivery of nephrology care and compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.

Major duties include:

• Providing expert consultation and ongoing management for patients with acute and chronic kidney disease, electrolyte and acid-base disorders, hypertension, and related conditions in inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Staffing outpatient nephrology consult and follow-up clinics, both in-person and via virtual modalities, and providing inpatient consultation to acute medical and intensive care units.
• Performing consultative evaluations and treatments for patients referred from hospital services and affiliated VA outpatient clinics, including dialysis clinic care consistent with local credentialing and privileging.
• Documenting accurate, complete, and timely progress notes and orders in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) for each episode of care.
• Ensuring proper use, maintenance, and calibration of specialized nephrology equipment, including dialysis-related and monitoring devices, in accordance with safety and infection control standards.
• Adhering to safety, health, infection control, and ergonomic regulations; promptly reporting unsafe conditions to appropriate officials.
• Providing patient and family education, including informed consent, and supporting shared decision-making.
• Assisting with orientation of new staff and providing clinical teaching and supervision for nephrology fellows (if applicable), residents, and medical students on nephrology rotations.
• Maintaining supplies, equipment, and clinical areas to optimize safety, efficiency, and readiness.
• Demonstrating knowledge and correct reprocessing of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) in accordance with VA policy.
• Participating in performance improvement initiatives, quality and safety reviews, disaster preparedness activities, and other administrative duties as assigned by the Section Chief and Chief of Medicine Service.

The Nephrologist is responsible to the Chief of Nephrology for professional practice and reports administratively to the Chief of Medicine. Administrative direction is provided through broadly defined goals and missions; the physician exercises considerable latitude in planning, designing, and carrying out program responsibilities within VA guidelines, directives, and regulations. Work is reviewed for compliance with policy and achievement of service and organizational goals.