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 allopathic 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 accrediting bodies for graduate medical education - the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - in the list published for the year the residency - or fellowship if applicable - was completed
• OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship - first year of residency - or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States
• OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - 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
• Exceptions: 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 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
• In rare and unusual circumstances - the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer - who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience - accomplishments - performance - and qualifications warrant such action
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Board certified
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction
• This position may involve standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting - and turning
• The work may involve going up and down flights of stairs.

Duties

• This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6) - Fayetteville NC VA Health Care System (FNCVAHCS) - Medicine Service Line
• The Nephrology Physician (Nephrologist) provides comprehensive subspecialty nephrology care to Veterans in inpatient and outpatient settings and is responsible for ensuring high-quality - timely - patient-centered services that meet Joint Commission - Office of Inspector General - and VA standards
• The incumbent ensures appropriate use of resources - maintains state-of-the-art standards of care - and collaborates effectively with other clinical and administrative services
• The Nephrologist is accountable to the Nephrology Section Chief and the Chief - Medicine Service - for effective delivery of nephrology care and compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements
• Major duties include: Providing expert consultation and ongoing management for patients with acute and chronic kidney disease - electrolyte and acid-base disorders - hypertension - and related conditions in inpatient and outpatient settings
• Staffing outpatient nephrology consult and follow-up clinics - both in-person and via virtual modalities - and providing inpatient consultation to acute medical and intensive care units
• Performing consultative evaluations and treatments for patients referred from hospital services and affiliated VA outpatient clinics - including dialysis clinic care consistent with local credentialing and privileging
• Documenting accurate - complete - and timely progress notes and orders in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) for each episode of care
• Ensuring proper use - maintenance - and calibration of specialized nephrology equipment - including dialysis-related and monitoring devices - in accordance with safety and infection control standards
• Adhering to safety - health - infection control - and ergonomic regulations
• promptly reporting unsafe conditions to appropriate officials
• Providing patient and family education - including informed consent - and supporting shared decision-making
• Assisting with orientation of new staff and providing clinical teaching and supervision for nephrology fellows (if applicable) - residents - and medical students on nephrology rotations
• Maintaining supplies - equipment - and clinical areas to optimize safety - efficiency - and readiness
• Demonstrating knowledge and correct reprocessing of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) in accordance with VA policy
• Participating in performance improvement initiatives - quality and safety reviews - disaster preparedness activities - and other administrative duties as assigned by the Section Chief and Chief of Medicine Service
• The Nephrologist is responsible to the Chief of Nephrology for professional practice and reports administratively to the Chief of Medicine
• Administrative direction is provided through broadly defined goals and missions
• the physician exercises considerable latitude in planning - designing - and carrying out program responsibilities within VA guidelines - directives - and regulations
• Work is reviewed for compliance with policy and achievement of service and organizational goals
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Available to highly qualified candidates Relocation Incentive: Available to eligible candidates
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact the EDRP Coordinator - Cheryl Lahair - at cheryl.lahair@va.gov for questions/assistance
• Learn more
• 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: Monday through Friday - 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM