Summary

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.

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
• Clinical Duties: The incumbent is expected to remain privileged and practicing in their specialty field
• The exact privileges and procedures for a provider will be approved by the Professional Standards Board
• All physicians must meet the following qualifications: Patient Care - He/she 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
• Medical/Clinical Knowledge - Functions as an expert consultant in health promotion and disease prevention and uses advanced clinical knowledge/judgment to plan - implement - coordinate and evaluate programs to promote healthy behaviors among employees
• When coordinating employee health education programs - takes into consideration the age and developmental needs of employees
• Clinical Judgement - He/she must ensure practice-based learning and improvement - practitioners are expected to be able to use scientific evidence and methods to investigate - evaluate - and improve patient care
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills - He/she is expected to demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that enable them to establish and maintain professional relationships with patients - families - and other members of the health care team Professionalism - He/she is expected to demonstrate behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development - ethical practice - and understanding and sensitivity to diversity - and a responsible attitude toward their patients - their profession System Based Practice - He/she is expected to demonstrate both an understanding of the contexts and systems in which health care is provided - and the ability to apply this knowledge to improve optimizing health care
• Supervisory Controls: The incumbent is clinically and administratively responsible to the Chief of Staff - who provides administrative direction in the form of overall program objectives and in terms of broadly defined missions
• The incumbent is recognized as the technical authority/subject-matter expert in issues involving occupational health operations and programs
• The incumbent is responsible for planning - designing and conducting the activities of the program
• The incumbent operates with wide latitude
• Work is reviewed on the basis of client satisfaction and achievement of program objectives and goals
• Customer Service Requirements: The incumbent meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions
• Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans - their representatives - visitors - and all VA staff)in a courteous - tactful - and respectful manner
• The incumbent provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures
• Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately
• Age - Development - and Cultural Needs of Patients Requirement: The incumbent provides patient care / support - which is appropriate to the cognitive - emotional and chronological maturation needs of the young adult (18-44 years old) - middle adult (45-64 years old) and older adult (65+ older patients).The incumbent must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care / support appropriate to the age of the patients served in the assigned service areas
• The incumbent must demonstrate the knowledge of the changes associated with again and possess the ability to provide care / support based upon age-related factors
• The incumbent must also be aware of and demonstrate the ability and sensitivity to handle the specific developmental and cultural needs of patients to provide care and support
• Computer Security Requirement: The incumbent protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws - federal regulations - VA Policies - and Directives
• Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss - modification - or unauthorized deletion
• Follows appropriate regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files - release of access codes - etc. - as set out in the computer access agreement that the employee signs
• Safety: The incumbent exhibits appropriate use of equipment - supplies
• Maintains safe and orderly work areas
• Reports any accidents to self or patients and completes appropriate paperwork regarding accidents/incidents
• The incumbent follows Life Safety Management (fire protection) procedures
• Preferred Experience: Occupational Health Certification - Experience functioning as the lead manager - coordinator - and/or point of contact for Occupational Health - Employee Health Promotion - Disease and Injury Prevention Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting (15-44 lbs);Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs);light carrying (under 15 lbs);Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (4-8 hours)
• Standing (4-8 hours);Repeated bending (4-8 hours);Both legs required
• Both eyes required
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of color
• Hearing(aid permitted).

Duties

• This is an Open Continuous Announcement and may be extended beyond the current closing date until the position is filled
• Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals - as additional vacancies occur and/or on an as-needed basis during the duration of the announcement
• Once a selection is made and offer is accepted the announcement may close pending no additional vacancies
• 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 Ms
• Ronda Eady at ronda.eady@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 General Description of Assigned Duties: The Chief of Occupational Health Service will function as the primary advisor to the Chief of Staff on occupational health operations - programs - and services at the medical center
• In this capacity - the Chief has responsibility for the effective and efficient management of occupational health operations - programs - and services
• Major Duties/Responsibilities include but are not limited to: - Performs data collection and analysis to determine Employee health needs and expectations for the Occupational Health and Employee wellness program
• Based on this information - he/she develops - implements - and evaluates activities for effectiveness
• - Obligations/Responsibilities: Working collaboratively with Nursing & Clerical managers on site
• Attending required staff meetings - communicating up and down the chain of command - and helping prepare heads-up and issue briefs as required
• - Clinical Management including indirect patient care: open encounters and open consult maintenance - CPRS documentation requirements - monitoring of clinic management
• Maintains involvement in matters concerning clinic productivity - relevant performance measures - Quality and Patient Safety oversight - as well as process improvements (system redesigns)
• - Completes COVID-19 Screening - Testing and Follow-Up - Complete Tuberculosis screening on all prospective employees and volunteers and ongoing screening according to risk assessments - following current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and facility policy - Completes OPPE and proficiency assessments as directed by policy
• - Completes pre-employment screening prior to employment and volunteering - Two-step TB skin test - Interferon - Gamma Release Assays (IGRA) / symptom screen - Chest X-ray - Assess immune status and administers vaccination (Influenza - Hepatitis A - Hepatitis 8 - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) - Varicella (chickenpox) - Tetanus (Td or Tdap) in accordance with CDC guidelines and facility policy - Collaborates with Infection Control to control exposures to diseases such as influenza - shingles - MRSA - C
• Difficile - norovirus - conjunctivitis - and environmental vermin such as bed bugs - scabies - lice - Manages medical surveillance screening for Animal Handlers as appropriate - Coordinates influenza vaccine program for Veterans - Employees and Volunteers - Member of Facility Flu Planning Committee - Evaluates and coordinates BBP exposure cases
• including assessment - treatment and follow up
• Maintains database of all BBP exposures
• aligns data with the OSHA log - Consents - Rapid HIV for source patient - Post-exposure prophylaxis - Consult with ID if indicated - Triages urgent needs for appropriate evaluation and treatment - Provides case management services for injured Employees & Volunteers - Coordinates with Safety Manager and Human Resource Worker's Compensation Specialist during weekly Accident Review Board to develop and implement strategies to prevent work-related injury or illness and expedite return to work - Accepts potential rotation in leadership role on the Employee Wellness Committee - Member of Ergonomics Workstation Evaluation Team - Accepts independent reviewer role after formal and comprehensive training Medical Records - Documents in OHRS as functionally useful - May be involved with the facility Wellness Committee - working with interdisciplinary health professionals
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm