Compensation and Pension (C&P) Physician Chief serves as a practicing clinical physician who is responsible for the overall management of the C&P program provided by the Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS). Responsible for the clinical and administrative tasks associated with clinic operations in the department. Responsible for managing and directing a variety of technical clinical and administrative support services critical to clinic operation. 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. Preferred Experience: Board Certified/Board Eligible. C&P examinations which include physical examination and claims file reviews. Must have the ability to lead a group of Providers and non-Provider staff to meet VA directives and requirements. 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: VA Handbook 5019/1, Part II, Pre-Placement Physical Examination and Evaluation. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, Work Schedule TBD. 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 Major duties include but not limited to the following: Clinical Patient Care: Approximately 60% time. Administrative Tasks: 0-40% time as assigned. Ensures proper examination and evaluation of applicants, who are seeking disability benefits, based on their claimed disabilities and their claims that these are due to service-related injuries. Complies with laws and policies to establish &/or follow guidelines and standards in relation to C&P processes, to ensure the quality and quantity of completed evaluations are consistent with with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) rules and local policies. Serve as role model to peers. Initiates, authorizes, and completes disciplinary action pursuant to system. Manages human capital by ensuring the most efficient staffing models are utilized, to enhance department access and maximize efficiency. Provide education to the Veteran and the family as necessary. Coordinate strategic planning efforts for health care delivery with effective business planning to assure maximum health care quality and efficiency. Reviews relevant historical and medical records to determine veteran history and findings, as well as ensuring physical examinations are validated, using authorized forms (e.g., Disability Benefit Questioner) (DBQ) as requested by pertinent people, usually but not limited to, for adjudication purposed for veteran compensation &/or pension. Facility involvement on committees assigned as required. Tour of duty is fulltime. Days and schedule are determined by the needs of the facility. Maintains the highest moral and ethical standards and supports EEO within the organization. Basic Life Support (BLS) required for Physicians as directed by local policy. Self-directed in completing orientation and on-going mandatory education. Maintains privileges as member of the Medical Staff and abides Bylaws Rules and Regulations of the Medical Staff. Complies with local, VISN, VA and VHA policy to ensure alignment with VHA directives, guidance, regulations, policy, and procedures. Supports compliance with appropriate accrediting and inspecting organizations. Supports and implements performance improvement plans for integrated programs that enhance evaluation of veterans and efficient utilization of facility resources. Maintains Continuing Medical Education and VA mandatory training prior to expiration. Clinically and administratively responsible to the Chief, Connected Care Service, who is the Approving Official. Directly supervises staff that may include: Nurse Managers, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Physicians and Administrative Assistants. Coach, mentor, and provide leadership to programs and staff."]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.