Physician - Primary Care, VA Maine Healthcare System, Augusta ME

Primary Care Physician Opportunity in Augusta, Maine

Now is the time to take your career to the next level and become part of the high-caliber talent that is VA. Experience what 250,000 current VA employees already have state-of-the-art practice settings, access to the latest technology, a multi-disciplinary team environment and the opportunity to provide the men and women who have bravely served this country with the finest patient care, benefits and customer satisfaction. And with VA Patient Satisfaction Scores leading the healthcare industry, you'll be joining one of the most respected facilities in the Nation.

An all-service VA Medical Center in an all-season recreational getaway! Primary Care Physicians are needed in Augusta, Maine. Must-haves; Board Certified or Board Eligible specializing in Primary Care, Family Practice, or Internal Medicine by the appropriate accrediting agencies, unrestricted state medical license, qualified to diagnose, treat, and manage patients according to standard, usual, and acceptable methods and techniques. Disabled persons and/or veterans are encouraged to apply. Competitive salaries, generous leave package, health & life insurance benefits, and retirement benefits. Additionally, the right candidate will experience the sense of patriotism and pride associated with working with veterans. The incumbent is eligible to participate in a pension program as well as a matching Thrift Savings Plan which is similar to a 401K. Live in Augusta, or within easy commuting distance, in the mid-coast region, in the mountains, or lakeside. Safe communities with highly rated school systems. Variety of outdoors recreational destinations, near-by college and university campuses, and other cultural events are some examples of what central Maine has to offer.

VA Maine Healthcare System (formerly Togus VA Medical Center) proudly serves Maine's veterans at a main campus in Augusta or any of nine outpatient clinics. It's a modern 67 bed facility with general medical, surgical, intermediate and mental health beds, as well as 40 Skilled-Longer Stay beds, a 25-bed Dementia Unit, and a hospice unit. The oldest veterans' facility in the country (est. 1866), much of its 500+ acres is natural woodland habitat for wildlife. Living in Maine offers excellent quality of life and access to many cultural and recreational activities. Salary to be determined by local Physician/Dentist Compensation Panel (commensurate with education, experience and qualifications). By law, U.S. Citizens will be given 1st preference but non-citizens will be considered in the absence of qualified citizens. Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.

DUTIES: The physician is a member of the Primary Care Service Line and is responsible to the Service Line Manager. A primary care staff physician, is responsible for maintaining professional, technical, and administrative knowledge competencies, and skills to provide effective, timely and quality responses to patient's health care needs. S/he is responsible for primary care of a panel of primary care patients. All physicians comply with credentialing and privileging and required monitoring and evaluation criteria. The physician maintains high clinical standards that are carried into decision-making processes, and continually strives to maintain and enhance skills, which may include teaching residents and students. The physician complies with current standards for medical record documentation and residency supervision. S/he will achieve a satisfactory compliance rate with the established Clinical Reminder, Clinical Performance Measures and Prevention Indicators (EPRP). The physician will provide appropriate care for veterans ranging in age from 18 through geriatric years, taking into consideration diagnosis and physical, functional, psychosocial, spiritual and cultural needs. S/he serves as a resource for nurse practitioners or physician assistants who are also delivering primary care and responds to all staff in the primary care teams in regards to patient concerns. S/he is personally responsible for:

• primary outpatient care of assigned patient panel,
• utilizing a team approach, across the continuum of care including comprehensive health assessment and care management,
• continuity and coordination of care management,
• advocacy for patient needs,
• compliance with chronic disease and prevention indicators.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Physical Qualifications - This position requires a full range of physical activity, including lifting, pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing, repeated bending, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. However, reasonable accommodations can be made and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required.
• Background and/or Security Investigation required.

Required Skills: QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following: Basic Requirements: Candidates must meet all the requirements identified in the VA Qualification Standard for Licensed Physician, VM-0602 as set forth in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G2 dated April 15, 2002. Directives and Policies 1. Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G2, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g.). 2. Education: 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 Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are: 2. a. Schools of medicine holding regular institutional membership in the Association of American Medical Colleges for the year in which the degree was granted. 2. b. Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the American Osteopathic Association for the year in which the degree was granted. 2. c. Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia as qualifying for full or unrestricted licensure. 3. Licensure and Registration: 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. The physician must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active, current licensure. 3. a. Impaired Licensure: A physician who has, or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions of VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G2, chapter 3, section B, paragraph 14. 4. English Language Proficiency: Physicians appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you will be asked to produce a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency. Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of your DD-214(s), SF-15 (as applicable) and/or documentation related to your active duty service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation. For more information, please review the information for disabled Veterans in the application checklist or visit HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED: Once the application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience. Bring your expertise to VA and be valued as part of a team that is recognized and respected for significant contributions to medicine. You'll enjoy a patient-focused environment, terrific benefits and incentives, and the ability to practice at any VA facility in the country. Equal Opportunity Employer