Career Center

Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. Education and length of practice are considered through a formal pay-setting process to determine the final compensable salary (Base Pay + Market Pay)

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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• GENERAL DESCRIPTION This position is located in Surgical Services which is aligned under Surgical Care ICC
• RESPONSIBLITIES Required elements: - Basic general surgery procedures - Minor surgery clinic - Endoscopy (EGD and colonoscopy) - Outpatient clinic - Inpatient rounding and consultation - Shared call The general surgeon is responsible for performing surgery and endoscopic procedures
• Surgical resident teaching and assisting with procedures is also expected
• Procedures performed would typically be basic general surgery - open and laparoscopic: hernias - cholecystectomies - colon resections - skin and soft tissue - foregut - endoscopy - etc
• Robotics available and a plus but not required
• The general surgeon is responsible for seeing patients in consultation in both inpatient and outpatient settings
• Other duties include responding to patient telephone calls - informing patients of test/lab results - renewing medication prescriptions - giving telephone or e-mail advice to other providers - and administrative duties - if any
• On-call responsibilities are shared with surgical residents and other staff surgeons
• The incumbent is responsible for entering accurate - complete - timely progress notes for each episode of care in the patient's electronic record
• This is accomplished by utilizing the Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
• The incumbent is responsible for the proper use - maintenance - and calibration of specialized equipment used in the assessment and care of patients
• The incumbent adheres to safety - health - and infection control standards - regulations and work practices - as well as ergonomic standards
• He/she reports any unsafe conditions to supervisor and/or appropriate officials
• The incumbent assists in orientation of new staff - and will provide patient and family education - including informed consent
• The incumbent maintains supplies - equipment and clinical areas to optimize safety and efficiency
• He/she demonstrates knowledge and maintains standards in the use and reprocessing of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME)
• The general surgeon is expected to participate in performance improvement activities - disaster preparedness - administrative duties - and other responsibilities assigned by the supervisor
• STANDARDS OF CARE The general surgeon is to practice in accordance with VA guidelines
• Fargo Health Care System policies/procedures
• medical staff bylaws - rules and regulations
• and in accordance with current Joint Commission standards
• PRACTICE The incumbent considers age of the patient when performing health care as it relates to functional capacity/limitations - ability to understand and follow directions - provide objective self-assessment of past medical condition and treatment appropriate to the overall treatment goals and plans
• The employee possesses knowledge of growth and development - has the ability to assess and interpret age-related data - and can communicate based on age related issues
• SUPERVISORY CONTROLS The incumbent reports to the Chief of General Surgery - Surgical Care ICC
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• 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: Mon - Fri 0800 - 1630