Career Center

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with 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 complete review of the EDRP application.

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
• 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
• (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) - b) OR [(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) - which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences
• 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
• rather - they are to 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
• Additional Requirement: Board eligible or board certified in Cardiology Preferred Experience:
• Must be qualified to diagnose - treat - and manage patients with cardiac diseases according to standard - usual - and acceptable methods and techniques
• Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS) is required
• 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
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers
• walking (3 hours per day)
• standing (6 hours per day)
• kneeling (2 hours per day)
• both legs required
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact hannah.neilson@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 Provides cardiology care for inpatients and outpatients at VA Maine Health Care System - Togus - and select Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) The cardiologist works within his/her privileges at all times
• Must be qualified to diagnose - treat - and manage patients with cardiac diseases according to standard - usual - and acceptable methods and techniques
• The cardiologist is expected to maintain current knowledge and skills
• She or he must be able to deliver interventions throughout the full spectrum of Cardiology care - i.e
• she or he is expected to maintain good diagnostic and therapeutic acumen
• Works at both the Togus campus and select CBOCS - as needed
• Performing full general cardiology examinations on established or newly consulted patients - including electronic consultations (e-Consults) in the Cardiology clinics - inpatient wards or Emergency Department for signs or symptoms of cardiac disease
• The Cardiologist will ensure communication with the hospitalists regarding inpatients and/or potential admissions
• Performs Compensation and Pension exams and/or Tort Claim reviews
• Admits and manages inpatients
• Interprets echocardiograms (including stress - dobutamine and transesophageal echocardiograms)
• Interprets holter monitor studies
• Interprets event recorder studies
• Interprets electrocardiograms (EKGs)
• Certified in Nuclear Cardiology
• Supervises and interprets exercise stress tests
• Inserts permanent and temporary cardiac pacemakers (desirable)
• Inserts Swan Ganz catheters
• Ensures communication with the incoming evening Medical Officer of the Day regarding patient care issues
• Responsibilities will include completing medical records in accordance with Medical Staff Bylaws - Rules and Regulations - including (but not limited to): history and physical exams within 24 hours of admission progress notes daily for inpatients and for each encounter on outpatients consult notes within 24 hours of evaluating patient discharge summaries within 10 days of hospital discharge new or renewal of prescriptions - transfer summaries and/or discharge instructions Participation in quality assurance programs and chart reviews
• demonstrates knowledge of and promotes performance improvement in meeting organizational goals
• Conducts point of care audits and peer reviews when requested by Chief of Medicine
• Exercises corporate citizenship by serving as a leader and/or active member on Medical Center committees as requested and attending Medical Service Staff meetings and meetings of the Medical/Dental staff
• Teaches effectively and creatively and provides guidance to others involved in the delivery of cardiology-related educational programs
• Completes all mandatory training by due date
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m
• to 4:30 p.m