Physician Pulmonologist

Pulmonologist Position

The Spokane VA Healthcare System is dedicated to providing veterans high-quality patient care. The pulmonologist will primarily deliver care in an outpatient clinic setting, focusing on diagnosing and managing respiratory disorders, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, interstitial lung disease, and other pulmonary conditions.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Diagnosing and managing a variety of pulmonology diseases in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Providing comprehensive evaluation and management of respiratory conditions, including asthma, COPD, pneumonia, interstitial lung disease, and sleep-related disorders
• Determining when it is necessary to refer patients for additional assessments, tests, or procedures to establish the diagnosis of sleep and pulmonary disorders, including but not limited to polysomnography, home sleep testing, pulmonary function testing and nocturnal oximetry testing.
• Ensuring timely access to pulmonology specialists through telehealth services and community care options, improving availability for veterans in rural areas.
• Developing and implementing individualized treatment plans for patients with pulmonary disorders, including complex pulmonology diseases.
• Providing consultations and expert guidance to other healthcare providers on pulmonology cases.
• Monitoring patient progress and adjusting treatment plans as necessary based on clinical findings and diagnostic results.
• Educating healthcare staff on best practices for pulmonology prevention and control.
• Engaging in clinical research and quality improvement projects to advance the understanding and treatment of pulmonology diseases.
• Implementing evidence-based practices and contributing to the development of clinical guidelines and protocols.
• Participating in staff meetings, hospital committees, and the peer review process.
• Maintaining VA training requirements, timely completion of documentation, and upkeep of credentials required for privileging and re-privileging.
• Participating in the Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE)/Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE) process.
• Adhering to employee health requirements and participating in Clinical Pertinence Reviews.
• Is qualified to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with pulmonology diseases disorders according to standard, usual, and acceptable methods and techniques.
• Cooperates with and participates in medical duties or functions related to quality of care, peer review and with other performance improvement activities as directed. Attend assigned meetings or process action teams.
• Expert in history taking, physical examination, test interpretation, patient counseling and differential diagnosis and medical therapeutics of these conditions
• Documents observation, assessments, and changes in patient's condition; collaborating with health team members to facilitate positive patient care outcomes.
• Demonstrating leadership within interdisciplinary teams, fostering collaborative decision-making.
• Ordering, interpreting, and utilizing laboratories, radiologic, and other diagnostic studies to guide clinical management.
• Prescribing appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
• Providing comprehensive patient and family education regarding pulmonology diseases and treatment plans.
• Ensuring practice-based learning and improvement by using scientific evidence and methods to investigate, evaluate, and improve patient care.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): up to 25% of the total annual salary every one (1) year for three (3) years. Relocation Incentive: $20,000 to be paid in lump sum to eligible candidate

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 401K 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 8:00a.m.- 4:00p.m.