Career Center

Summary

North Florida/ South Georgia VA Healthcare System's Specialty Care Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Sleep Medicine Physician (Somnologist). Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards - as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center.

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 in Internal Medicine - Neurology - Psychiatry and/or Family Medicine 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
• Fellowship training in Sleep Medicine
• Board certified in Sleep Medicine
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019
• This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health
• This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs. - carrying objects up to 15 lbs. - frequent reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - hands and legs - use of cranes and motor vehicles - walking & standing up to 8 hours - bending and climbing and able to hear whisper
• The incumbent must be physically - emotionally and mentally stable in order to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.

Duties

• 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) & 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 ineligible to apply
• This is an open continuous announcement that will remain open until filled
• Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis
• Eligible applicants will be referred each week for consideration until a selection is made
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact the VISN 8 Compensation Center of Excellence at VISN8CCOE@va.gov 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 Under the direct administrative supervision of the Specialty Care Service Chief - the Somnologist/Sleep Medicine Physician provides leadership and consultations and is expected to provide patient care that is compassionate - appropriate - and effective for the promotion of health - prevention of illness - treatment of disease - and care at the end of life
• Incumbent provides care throughout the Medical Center as required in the forms of outpatient clinic - inpatient consults - and E-consults
• Care is delivered in-person and/or video telehealth as appropriate
• A summary of the duties is mentioned below but not limited to: Conduct assessments - physical examinations and treatment - and coordination of medical care with primary care providers - other subspecialists - social workers - data managers - pharmacists - dietitians - nursing - and other personnel as a leader of a multidisciplinary team
• Utilize telehealth modalities to provide care to patients when appropriate medically and patient agrees to the use of virtual care
• Ensure that high quality patient care is delivered in a resourceful and efficient manner
• Evaluate - diagnose - treat - and manage patients with sleep disorders including sleep apnea - narcolepsy - restless legs syndrome - REM behavior disorder - periodic limb movement disorder and others
• Prescribe initial positive airway pressure (PAP) settings - evaluate - and manage all modalities of PAP including making necessary changes to pressure settings - evaluation - and management of sleep related ventilatory disorders
• Provide interpretation of sleep studies and sleep oximetry Provide fellow and other trainee supervision as part of delivery of quality care to patients
• Other duties as assigned by Specialty Care Service Chief Orders - interprets - and follows up on a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic tests/studies
• initiates consults and referrals and prescribes medications/orders supplies in accordance with VA policy - VA formulary - and State/Federal regulations
• Review of community care consults as needed
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and committees - as required
• Works closely with MAS and Nursing to resolve daily clinic operational issues
• Is available for issues concerning patient care - nursing concerns - and calls during normal tour hours and when providing on-call services
• Recommends actions to improve patient and employee satisfaction
• Maintains VA training requirements - timely completion of documentation and upkeep of credentials required for privileging and re-privileging
• Completion of all required training - proficiencies - and FPPE/OPPE process
• Ensuring that consults are triaged properly and timely
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor
• The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs).