Physician (Hospice & Palliative Care Medical Director) - Iowa City, United States - Department of Veterans Affairs

Description

Summary

The Iowa City VA is an integrated health care system serving 52,000 Veterans in eastern Iowa and western Illinois with a 52-bed hospital and 10 clinics in the community.

The Palliative Care service sees approximately 2000 Veterans/year to provide anticipatory guidance, symptom control and identify goals and preferences for Veterans with serious illness.

The palliative care team consists of medical providers, pharmacists, social workers, RN case managers, chaplain and music therapist.

Learn more about this agency

Help

Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates

11/20/2023 to 09/30/2024

• Salary

$225,000 - $260,000 per year

Education and length of practice are considered through a formal pay-setting process to determine the final compensable salary (Base Pay + Market Pay)

• Pay scale & grade

VM 15

• Help

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Iowa City, IA 1 vacancy
• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -* Work schedule

Full-time -* Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

15

• Job family (Series)

0602 Medical Officer

• Supervisory status

Yes

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

OCA-CBSY NCM

• Control number

Help

This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. This is an open continuous announcement.

Applicants in USA Staffing will be qualified based on the resume submitted and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager every 2 weeks until the announcement is closed, cancelled, or filled.

Videos

Help

Duties

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.

This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.

This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties:

• Clinical leader in the care of Veterans with serious illness and their families. Work closely with the palliative care team to provide evidence-based, transdisciplinary care for Veterans.
• Will collaborate with health care teams, including nursing, social work, rehab therapies, and providers working on inpatient units, and in primary and specialty clinics.
• Serve as a mentor and supervisor for the providers on the team.
• Confer with and serve as a consultant to other clinicians.
• Serve as a leader on a team with diverse reporting structures.
• Collaborate with other team members to develop and implement an integrated symptom management approach that maximizes the utilization of complementary and integrative health therapies (e.g., Whole Health Program) to improve the quality of life and functioning of patients.
• Provide care via multiple modalities, including face to face, VA Video Connect (VVC) along with Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT) to maximize Veteran-centric care.
• Provide e-consultation to providers related to serious health related suffering, hospice appropriateness, and goals of care.
• Adhere to established policies and processes.
• Comply with all electronic medical record policies and procedures.
• Comply with local and national performance measures.
• Complete and sign all electronic medical records consistent with current medical staff by-laws.
• Meet all performance goals.
• Physician will always work within his/her privileges, unless necessitated by an emergency.
• Assist in quality assurance metrics, program outcome data and other local data source measurements as needed to ensure strong clinical performance.
• Provide education on palliative care principles to medical center staff and medical students/residents/fellows to improve clinical care delivered across the system.
• Individual is under the supervision of the ACOS Rehabilitation and Extended Care. Participate in local and VISN committee meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive:
May be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

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:
Full Time,7:30am-4:00pm or 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday - Friday

Help

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.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.

• Board Certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, fellowship trained with at least 3-5 years of experience.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Customer Service:

• Meet the needs of customers while supporting the VA mission. Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provide 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:

• Accept chosen lifestyle and assists with necessary adjustment relating to change in health. Recognizes risk factors related to health. Encourage physical and social activity as appropriate. Provide physical, emotional and intellectual assistance as appropriate.

Privacy/Computer Security:

• Protect 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 statutes and policy, and VHS&RA policy. Incumbent is skilled in the operation of the VA's computer system and is aware of the confidential nature of the information contained therein and is aware of his responsibility to safeguard against the unauthorized release of this information. Protect data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable 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.

Green Environmental Management System (GEMS):

• Incumbent is aware of the GEMS System. The GEMS program seeks to cost-effectively meet or exceed compliance with applicable Federal, state, and local environmental: public health: and resource protection laws, regulations, and VA requirements. Employees need to be aware of and familiarize themselves with how their activities, including purchasing, consumption, and recycling decisions, impact VA's goal to implement sound stewardship practices that are protective of the air, water, land, and other natural and cultural resources.

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:

he position will require walking, standing or sitting for periods of up to 4-6 hours each day and delivering care, providing holistic care, and case management in the home of the veteran.

This may require excessive bending, lifting, twisting, and driving in inclement weather.

You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Education

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 an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed.

Approved schools are:

• Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted, or
• Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association for the year in which the degree was granted.
• For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, facility officials must verify with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) that the applicant has met requirements for certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. [If the applicant does not claim an ECFMG certificate, facility officials must still confirm that the medical school meets (or met) ECFMG eligibility requirements for the year the candidate graduated.]

NOTE:

The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C.

7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities.

The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.

Additional information

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.

Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required

Pursuant to VHA Directive , VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy).

VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations.

If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.

The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Read more

• Benefits

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

Veterans' Preference Note:

Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA.

When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.

You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).

If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.

Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.

Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.