Physician- Cardiologist (Heart Failure Specialist)

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 the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) 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.
• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from a VA-approved school.
• Current, 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 an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification, or one of the alternative pathways outlined below.
• Alternative residency pathways:
  • One year of post‑medical‑school training (internship, first year of residency, or transitional year) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of independent practice under a full license.
  • Non‑U.S. residency training followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the U.S., including duties related to the position. U.S. fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement.
  • In rare circumstances, the Facility Director may submit a memo to the VISN Director for an exception if the physician’s record warrants it.
• PRPs (Physician Resident Providers) may be appointed on an intermittent basis if fully licensed and not on a training license.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred Experience: Board‑eligible or board‑certified in Cardiology.
• Training in Heart Failure strongly desired; additional training after a general Cardiology fellowship is preferred.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, visit
• Physical Requirements: A physical examination will be conducted prior to placement. Long periods of standing or walking in the operating room and outpatient clinic are required.
• Mental and sensory requirements include recall, reasoning, problem‑solving, hearing, speaking clearly, writing legibly, reading, and logical thinking.
• Work pace may vary from steady to fast, requiring handling of multiple priorities and patient interactions in a sometimes‑noisy environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Heart Failure Specialist Cardiologist will provide direct cardiovascular care to an adult population eligible for care at the VA medical center or its subsidiary locations.
• The cardiologist is responsible for a wide range of duties to ensure safe, efficient, and high‑quality care.
• The Cardiologist evaluates and treats patients in the designated Cardiology/Heart Failure clinic.
• Upon referral from a PCP, the Cardiologist completes an initial evaluation, documents history and physical, formulates a plan of care, and orders necessary studies.
• Communicates with patients and families, provides patient education, coordinates with outpatient providers, arranges follow‑up care, notifies of test results, and reconciles medications.
• Responds to and completes cardiology e‑consults.
• Enters orders for further workup or evaluations through outpatient/inpatient procedures such as cardioversion, echocardiograms, Holter and event monitoring, nuclear stress testing, ECG, and pacer checks.
• Role requires some weekend calls and inpatient rounding.

Benefits

• Recruitment Incentive: Position is eligible for the EDRP – a student loan payment reimbursement program (award amount up to $200,000, eligibility period 1–5 years, determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office).
• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and a possible 5‑day paid absence for CME).
• Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Comprehensive federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care insurance (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). Federal malpractice coverage includes free liability protection with tail coverage.
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Schedule

• In general, Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, but acute patient care may require additional time outside of these hours.