Physician (Gastroenterologist w/Recruitment/Relocation Incentive-EDRP)

Summary

The Amarillo VA Health Care System is currently seeking a full‑time Gastroenterologist to provide comprehensive care for patients who have illnesses within the scope of Gastroenterology – with an additional focus on patients with hepatitis. In addition to patient care, the physician may have responsibilities in other areas such as education. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

Qualifications

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 completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physicians 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.

• United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic or osteopathic medicine
• The degree must have been obtained from a school 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 approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program leading to eligibility for board certification
• Approved residencies include those accredited by ACGME or AOA for the year the residency was completed
• OR 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 independent practice under a full and unrestricted license in the United States
• OR non‑US residency training followed by a minimum of three years of independent practice in the United States, performing duties related to the position (United States fellowships would be creditable)
• Residents currently enrolled in accredited programs who meet basic requirements may be appointed as “Physician Resident Providers” (PRPs) on an intermittent basis under a defined scope of practice
• PRPs are not independent practitioners and will not be privileged
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Board Certified/Board Eligible in Gastroenterology, ability to work within an organization to provide strategic direction, ability to provide compassionate and effective patient care, experience teaching residents/fellows
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
• Physical Requirements: The position requires moderate lifting and carrying (15‑44 pounds), reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (8‑12 hours), standing (8‑12 hours), repeated bending (8‑12 hours), rapid mental and muscular coordination, near vision correctable at 13′ to 16′ to Jaeger 1 to 4, specific visual requirement (far vision 20/30), ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted), emotional and mental stability, sit for extended periods, and cognitive stability.

Duties

• The Gastroenterology staff physician is responsible for providing primary, secondary, and tertiary care in both hospitalized and outpatient settings – identifying patients’ health problems and designing diagnostic and therapeutic plans to meet these needs
• Coordinate activities of other health service personnel, resolve problems affecting patient care, and provide appropriate education for the patient/family members concerning the patient’s care, illness, and its management
• A major percentage of the physician’s time will be devoted to patient care
• Time will be allotted to administrative duties as required
• Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures: colonoscopy, polypectomy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, esophageal ligation or banding of varices, dilation of the esophagus (bougienage), small bowel biopsy
• Provide patient care appropriate to the age, cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of patients 18‑40, 41‑65, and 66‑older
• Work Schedule: Monday – Friday (8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment Incentive: May be authorized to an external applicant; Relocation Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): May be authorized to an internal applicant
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for the incentive
• Contact View email address on click.appcast.io – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases; Paid Time Off: 50‑55 days per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, possible 5 days paid absence for CME); Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution; Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care, many federal 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; Contract: No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting