Summary

The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System - is seeking a Physician (Infectious Disease). The Infectious Disease (ID) Specialist is responsible for patient/family education - and participation in patient centered interdisciplinary team - including coordination of care with other specialists and pharmacist - to provide comprehensive medical and infectious disease management in outpatient setting. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive is authorized for a highly qualified candidate.

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
• Preferred Experience: Board certified or board eligible in internal medicine - and fellowship trained in Infectious Disease
• Interest and participation in academic research and education is highly desirable but not necessary
• Candidate should possess leadership skills in coordination of activities of various ancillary staff - students - residents - other clinical professionals - and students
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds - Light carrying - under 15 pounds - Reaching above shoulder - Use of fingers - Both hands required - Walking (6 hours) - Standing (6 hours) - Both legs required - Both eyes required - Depth perception - Ability to distinguish basic colors - Ability to distinguish shades of colors - Hearing (aid may be permitted) - Mental/emotional stability - Ability to perform privileges - Independently performs physical exam as appropriate

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Applies comprehensive examination and differential diagnostic skills to develop plans of care
• Provides care within the context of an interdisciplinary approach
• provider will document services through appropriate notes
• Participates in interdisciplinary team activities and works collaboratively with others involved with the ID service - the medical center - and VISN facilities
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with other practice areas to ensure appropriate delivery of ID services to Veterans through committees and work groups
• Participates actively in delivering in-service training to medical center staff - fellows - residents - etc
• and supports an environment that encourages continual learning
• The majority of the ID specialist's time is devoted to patient care and education - with the remaining time set aside for performance improvement activities - and activities sufficient to maintain proficiency in state-of-the-art ID care
• Most of the work will take place at one campus of VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend HCS(VCB) - but some travel may be required to meet the needs at various sites of VCB
• Writes Medical Orders and prescriptions for non-controlled and controlled substances - as necessary - for the care of the patient in accordance with Federal and State law
• Documents care provided in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) in accordance with Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System requirements
• Documents the detailed - targeted - initial history and physical examination required for evaluation in the electronic tool(s) required by VA
• Responds to and completes consults received for the evaluation of infectious disease process - including: Performs a comprehensive - detailed - targeted - initial history and physical examination in compliance with national guidelines
• orders diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests - X-rays - electrocardiograms (EKGs) and other tests
• consults other disciplines - as necessary - to complete the patient evaluation
• carries out health promotion and disease prevention activities including education and shared decision-making
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00AM - 4:30 PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized 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