Physician - Gastroenterologist (Section Chief)

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 the EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval (award amount up to $200,000 and eligibility period of one to five years) is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. Qualifications 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 medicine or osteopathic medicine from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or 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. (1) Approved by ACGME or AOA. (2) One year of post‑medical‑school training followed by two years of independent practice. (3) Non‑U.S. residency training followed by a minimum of three years of independent practice in the United States. Residents currently enrolled in an accredited residency training program who would otherwise meet the basic requirements are eligible to be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians, may only be appointed on an intermittent basis, and are not considered independent practitioners. Board certified in Gastroenterology. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Preferred experience: Supervisory experience. For more information on this qualification standard, visit Physical requirements: Applicants must meet the physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required. This is a designated drug‑testing position; random testing for illegal drug use applies after appointment. Must be able to lift 15–44 pounds, push, reach above shoulder, use fingers and both hands, walk and stand from 3–5 hours, kneel, and have rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Must have depth perception and the ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Hearing aid is permitted. Duties Open continuous announcement – remains open until July 20 2026. Initial cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications is May 26 2025, with subsequent cut‑off dates every two weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases, paid time off (50–55 days per year), traditional federal pension (five‑year vesting), federal 401(k) with up to five percent contributions by VA, insurance (health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care), and other federal benefits. Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus: authorized); permanent change of station (relocation assistance: not authorized); Education Debt Reduction Program: authorized, prior participants ineligible. Work schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm. Contract: No physician employment contract; no significant restriction on moonlighting. Gastroenterology Section Chief responsibilities: Oversees administrative and programmatic resources and professional activities within the gastroenterology section. Supervises staff gastroenterology providers and develops and initiates policies, procedures, and organizational structures to achieve the section’s goals as directed by the ACOS for specialty care. Provides clinical consultation services in VA PIHCS clinics, including the Ambulatory Care Center and community‑based outpatient clinics, through face‑to‑face visits, virtual visits via telehealth or telephone, and e‑consults. Direct outpatient clinical care for patients with GI problems and GI consultation to VA PIHCS clinical staff. Provides examinations for patients with GI and liver disorders, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, elevated LFTs, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Informs staff education and development, and may provide teaching to UH JABSOM resident trainees, medical students, and other students rotating on the gastroenterology service. Serves as liaison to the UH JABSOM Gastroenterology service for coordinating teaching activities. Ensures compliance with agency regulations, medical staff bylaws, facility policies, Joint Commission standards, HEDIS, SAIL measures, and other regulations. Participates in hospital and medical staff activities such as accreditation requirements, quality assessment, quality improvement projects, committee assignments, lean activities, and other initiatives. Customer service: Consistently communicates and treats veterans, their representatives, visitors, and VA staff in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner, providing consistent information per established policies and procedures. Information security: Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, regulations, and VHA policy. Supervisory controls: Reports directly to the ACOS for specialty care. #J-18808-Ljbffr Nahse