Duties

Summary

The Salem VA Medical Center is currently seeking a full-time, permanent Assistant Chief of Primary Care. This position is located at the Salem VA Medical Center and will share oversight of five community based, outpatient centers (CBOC) located in southwest and central Virginia.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The major duties of this position include but are not limited to:

The Assistant Chief of Primary Care must demonstrate leadership in interpreting and supporting the Medical Center's mission, vision and values, while operating in accordance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Medical Center policies, federal, professional and accrediting agencies external to VHA such as Joint Commission. The Assistant Chief of Primary Care will report to the Chief of Primary Care Service. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• The Assistant Chief will supervise and provide clinical oversight for the providers and nurse managers at three VA operated CBOCS.
• taking an active role and provide provider level leadership and guidance for non-traditional care options, and work towards enhancing the use of video and telehealth at Salem VAMC.
• actively participate in Medical Center Committees, workgroups and will provide leadership role in performance improvement initiatives.
• have a working knowledge of clinical performance metrics such as HEDIS, EPRP, Hospital Compare, CG-CAHPS etc.
• collaborate to ensure on-time resolution of patient complaints and concerns received via patient advocacy, congressional office, White House Hotline, OIG and other suspended inquiries for the CBOCS.
• Performs appropriate evaluation and management of patients to include ordering of diagnostic tests, consultations and discriminates between normal and abnormal findings. Makes appropriate care decisions based on evaluations and results.
• Participates in team meetings and treatment planning conferences. Collaborates with multidisciplinary team members in a manner that enhances coordination of comprehensive patient care.
• Documents in the medical record in keeping in with the Bylaws of the Medical Center.
• Provides clinical oversight of the PACT team to which assigned.
• Ensures that medical treatment or care plans consist of current best medical practices and are evidence-based if possible.
• Ensures practice of medicine is consistent with Joint Commission, CARF, VA policies and procedures, clinical practice guidelines, VISN standards, national statutes and regulations, medical record documentation, mandatory continuing education, and HIPAA policies.
• Responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system, as appropriate.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 08:00AM- 4:30PM
Relocation incentive: Authorized
Recruitment incentive: Authorized
Permanent Change of Station-(PCS): Not authorized
Education Debt Reduction Program-(EDRP): Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Designated and/or random drug testing required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination
• Incumbent will be required to maintain current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) certifications

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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.
• Completion of residency training, or its equivalent, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Physical requirements outlined below.

Preferred Qualification: Three or more years of experience as a high performing VA PACT Primary Care Provider

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 requirement: The physician should be physically and mentally capable to perform the duties of the position including examinations, formulate the diagnosis and treatment plan and educate residents. Physical activities include sitting, standing (up to 4 hours) walking (up to 2 hours), heavy lifting (45 pounds or over), reaching above the shoulder, and repeated bending. The incumbent should be emotionally and mentally stable; and capable to perform the duties of the position.

If you are searching for a unique opportunity that includes an excellent federal benefits package with one of the largest healthcare networks, then the Salem VA Medical Center is for you.

- VA physicians and dentists earn up to an additional 7.5% of their salary (not to exceed $15K) in annual physician performance pay.
- Free liability protection with tail coverage provided.
- No physician employment contracts and no significant restrictions on moonlighting.
- Regular pay increases to include biennial longevity increases, annual cost of living increases (when signed into law), and biennial reviews of physician market pay.
- One full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory is accepted at this facility.
- 49 Days paid time off per year (26 days paid annual leave, 13 days paid sick leave, 10 paid federal holidays).
- Pension plan - vested in pension annuity after only 5 years' service.
- 401K-type plan (Thrift Savings Plan) with matching contributions.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

VA offers a comprehensive benefits package. This link provides an overview of the benefits associated with a VA practice: VHA Physician Brochure .

Annual leave shall accrue for full-time physicians at the rate of eight (8) hours per biweekly pay period.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes (upload C.V. as resume document type):

• Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's, etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• VA-10-2850
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.