Cardiologist

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit their 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

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.
• Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in medicine or osteopathic medicine.
• 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, 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.
• VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status. Approved residencies include those approved by ACGME, AOA, or other residencies (non‑US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States) deemed appropriate by the local Medical Staff Executive Committee.
• 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 (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.
• In addition, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred Experience: At least 5 years experience as a Cardiologist.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15‑44 pounds), light lifting (under 15 pounds), use of fingers, both hands required, both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13” to 16”, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing without aid.

Duties

• Make a meaningful impact in the lives of Veterans as a Cardiologist at the John J Pershing VA Medical Center – part of the national VA Cardiology Hub-and-Spoke initiative.
• This is a hands‑on – full‑time position based at the main medical center in Poplar Bluff with weekly travel to our Community‑Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Cape Girardeau, Farmington, and West Plains.
• Provide vital cardiovascular care to rural Veterans while benefiting from a structured – collaborative system that supports continuity of care across sites.
• A government vehicle is provided for travel.
• The John J Pershing VA Medical Center is located in the active and thriving community of Poplar Bluff, Missouri – the "Gateway to the Ozarks." Poplar Bluff has a population of 17,000 and the cost of living in the area is among the lowest in the country.
• We are within a two‑hour drive of several large cities and have a small airport.
• The area is quite scenic and outdoor recreational opportunities abound in nearby national and state parks and forests.
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
• VHA Physician Total Rewards include 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, and possible five‑day paid absence for CME); retirement: traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA; insurance: federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many programs can be carried into retirement).
• Licensure: One full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory.
• Continuing medical education: 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.
• Provide comprehensive, patient‑centered care for veterans – delivering a full spectrum of cardiology services in outpatient, inpatient, and urgent care settings.
• Perform and interpret diagnostic tests such as echocardiograms, stress tests (nuclear, chemical, and routine treadmill), Holter monitor readings, and electrocardiograms (EKGs).
• Manage specialty clinics – including Congestive Heart Failure Clinic and post‑acute myocardial infarction (AMI)/stent follow‑up clinic.
• Conduct cardiac clearance for surgical procedures.
• Provide telephone consultations, electronic consultations (eConsult), and informal "curbside" consultations to enhance collaboration with providers across the Medical Center and CBOCs.
• Work closely with specialty care leadership and clinical staff to foster professional collaboration and improve patient outcomes.
• This role reports directly to the Associate Chief of Staff for Specialty Care.
• Work schedule: Monday‑Friday – 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.