Cardiologist

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

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.

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 Certified or Board Eligible in Cardiology Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Duties

• The New Jersey VA Healthcare System is seeking a Physician – Cardiologist to join the department at East Orange – NJ
• Evaluate and treat patients in outpatient and inpatient settings and apply evidence‑based care for various cardiac conditions
• Perform and interpret studies such as exercise stress tests, exercise ECHO stress tests, dobutamine echo stress tests, ambulatory ECG monitoring, resting ECG, and resting transthoracic echocardiogram and transesophageal echocardiogram; maintain detailed notes of appointments with patients – including diagnoses, comments, tests, and/or treatments prescribed – and test results
• Prescribe medication to treat heart and/or cardiovascular disease and provide support and advice to Veteran patients receiving long‑term care
• Provide supervisory oversight of the clinical care of residents – cardiology fellows – Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants as appropriate
• Participate in the education of medicine residents and cardiology fellows in inpatient and outpatient settings
• Collaborate with members of interdisciplinary teams – including primary care physicians, specialists and nurses – to ensure continuity and high‑quality health care for our veterans
• Participate in VA performance improvement and quality assurance initiatives – ensuring ongoing compliance
• Participate in and attend CME activities and VA continuing educational activities

Benefits

• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized – former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for 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 of paid time off 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 401(k) 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 and no significant restriction on moonlighting
• Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday 8:00 am–4:30 pm