Physician (HBPC Medical Director)

Summary The Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) program – under the Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) service – targets frail, chronically ill Veterans who require care by interdisciplinary health‑care teams to provide continuity and integration of diverse services to address complex medical, social, rehabilitative, and behavioral care needs. Education and length of practice are considered through a formal pay‑setting process to determine the final compensable salary (Base Pay + Market Pay). Qualifications 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. 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. Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME); (2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA); or (3) 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 (i.e., 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. PRPs 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. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Physical Requirements: Be able to walk. Stand or sit for prolonged periods of time each day. Be able to run and/or sprint under urgent or emergency situations. Be physically able to perform CPR – if needed. Duties The HBPC Medical Director is responsible for the overall care delivered by the HBPC program of the Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHCS). Medical care includes identifying, diagnosing, and appropriately treating the Veterans' medical problems; determining the need for consultation from subspecialty care; determining the need for services that may require transferring patients to other VA or Non‑VA acute healthcare facilities or long‑term care facilities – when appropriate. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Collaborating with the VA medical facility HBPC Program Director on program management responsibilities outlined in VHA Directive 1411. Planning and directing the educational and clinical experience of health professions trainees (HPTs) assigned to the HBPC Program. Being readily accessible and promptly responsive to calls from HBPC team members with urgent needs for consultation – physician orders or as requested by the Veteran. Overseeing care planning for all Veterans enrolled in the HBPC Program by actively participating in team meetings or delegating a physician to participate. Communicating medical care advances and practice standards to the HBPC team. Arranging physician coverage as needed and communicating the plan of coverage to the HBPC PACT. Acting as backup for HBPC PACT primary care providers and making home visits when needed or when designated providers are unavailable. Leading the GEC Service toward achieving program goals and objectives and the mission and vision of the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center. Providing input for strategic planning for future HBPC growth or improvements. Developing or maintaining policies and procedures to ensure compliance with VHA policy and regulatory/accrediting bodies. Fostering an environment of continuous improvement. Leading the development and implementation of performance improvement plans affecting the HBPC. Demonstrating consistent and positive interpersonal skills with Veterans, their families, and other VA staff and providers. Conducting oneself in a professional, ethical, and courteous manner while treating Veterans, their families, and other VA staff and providers. Adhering to the principles of a High Reliability Organization. Leading regular HBPC Provider staff meetings. Participating in monthly VISN or VHA calls pertaining to HBPC as appropriate. Participating in quality management activities such as medical records reviews, drug utilization evaluations, root cause analyses, and peer reviews at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center. Serving on facility committees when appropriate. Working to meet performance measures set by the facility, VISN or VHA. Responding to complaints by Veterans and/or their families to the Patient Advocate or other avenues in a timely manner. Anticipating potential problems and attempting to solve them before they lead to complaints. Immediately informing the Associate Chief of Staff of GEC of any witnessed or suspected patient abuse. Providing constructive feedback to supervisors in a timely manner and per HR policies. Participating in monthly Medical Staff meetings as required. Work Schedule: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday (subject to change based on the needs of the agency). Benefits Competitive annual salary with an annual performance bonus and regular salary increases. Paid time off: 50–55 days per year (annual leave, sick leave, federal holidays, and CME absence). Traditional federal pension and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution. Comprehensive health, vision, dental, long‑term care, and life insurance; no physician employment contract; eligibility for relocation assistance and signing bonus for highly qualified applicants. Work Schedule 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday (subject to change based on the needs of the agency). #J-18808-Ljbffr