Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities This is an open-continuous announcement and will remain open until March 29, 2024, or until the position is filled (if a selection is made and offer accepted, announcement will be closed). Qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official every two weeks from the opening date of the announcement. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be offered to highly qualified candidates Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): May be offered to highly qualified candidates Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Contact Ms. Carol Thompson at carol.thompson4@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 Duties include but are not limited to: - Hands on clinical work, oversight, and administration of all aspects of the service, including an extensive research program and guidance and training for medical residents and other trainees. Bases planning on patient and staff feedback and projected needs. Plans the provision of services with a patient centered vision so as to enhance patient education and shared decision making. Establishes a customer-oriented culture and promotes hiring of persons who fit that culture. Actively identifies and encourages the implementation of best practices in customer service. Breaks barriers that impede good service delivery. Empowers staff to resolve problems and complaints independently at the lowest level. Shares resources in order to service customers effectively and efficiently. Directs the continuous measurement and improvement of the quality of care provided by the service. Plans, coordinates, and ensures high quality care through utilization of multiple quality measurement tools. Improves patient outcomes through the implementation of strategies such as clinical practice guidelines and critical pathways, health risk assessments, provider profiling, use of electronic medical record and clinical reminders, and case management. Continuously assesses and improves the processes of care delivery in the service so as to enhance patient safety. Ensures the services ability to meet standards issued by various accrediting and regulatory groups and VACO. Encourages and supports research and education missions. Facilitates translation of research findings into improved patient outcomes. Encourages continuing education for all personnel in the service and ensures compliance with performance standards. Creates a climate where continuous learning and self development are valued. Responsible for the financial management of the service, including budget planning and management. Develops the annual strategic and budget plan for the service consistent with guidance and goals from the Director's Office and/or Fiscal Service. Develops and implements tracking methods to monitor the service's fiscal activities. Collaborates with other service chiefs in the development and execution of the overall Medical Center strategic and business plan. Plans initiatives and develops programs in collaboration with other services in order to ensure coordination of service, reduction of redundancies, and enhancement of cost effectiveness. Stays abreast of and educates staff about changing conditions in health care. Encourages and rewards risk-taking and entrepreneurial behavior. Encourages demonstration projects, pilots and other experimental approaches, which may lead to the development of alternative revenue streams and other gains in the organizational outcomes. Demonstrates commitment to the Medical Centers goals. Encourages an atmosphere of trust and empowerment by example. Provides a clear vision of the future and leads the service through necessary changes. Demonstrates commitment and accountability to the "One VA" concept. Models behavior, attitudes, and action expected of all staff. Develops an interdisciplinary team of innovative, highly motivated individuals who are continuously striving for excellence in patient care and customer service. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday thru Friday 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 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. Additional Requirement: The incumbent is directly accountable to the Chief of Staff, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VAMC. The incumbent works independently; supervision is mainly advisory in nature. The incumbent provides first line supervision to several specialty care chiefs and managers. Preferred Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of Supervisor/Manager/Director/Chief or equivalent experience to lead, develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate clinical and administrative processes related to the medical care of Veterans. Board Certified in Internal Medicine or an Internal Medicine Specialty, Emergency Medicine, or Dermatology Broad knowledge base with consult management. An understanding of Medicine, Medicine subspecialties and ancillary services. Demonstrated ability to interact and communicate (orally, telephonically, and written) with others effectively and appropriately, presenting. a professional image of the service and the VA. Demonstrated skill in budget development and execution. Thorough knowledge of the VA Community Care and the Veterans Choice Program. Directs, manages, and coordinates the planning and implementation of the VA Medicine care throughout the G.V. Sonny Montgomery VAMC catchment area spanning Mississippi and parts of Louisiana and Alabama. Develops or directs the development of performance standards, evaluates the performance of key supervisors, and reviews the evaluations made by subordinate supervisors or other employees. Responsible for budget development and execution for VA Medicine Care. Exercise administrative, programmatic, clinical, and academic oversight of Medicine Care Service and programs to ensure delivery of quality services. Serves as the principal spokesperson and advocate for Medicine Care and programs within the VA Medical Center Coordinates and integrates clinical and administrative aspects of the programs into a comprehensive package of services to meet the needs of the Veteran population. Directs patient care needs assessments; identifies gaps in services and supports program development to meet those needs. Serves as a member of key medical center managerial bodies. Within the local planning process, develops short and long-range goals and objectives for provision of Medicine Service and programs Ensures that there is compliance with all Joint Commission and other regulatory body functions and standards that are applicable to Medicine Service and programs (assessment of the patient; care of the patient; patient rights/organizational ethics, continuum of care; safety, etc). Oversees, develops, coordinates, and evaluates academic programs affiliated with Medicine Service and serves as liaison with the sponsoring institutions for such programs. Coordinates and integrates interdepartmental and intradepartmental services, establishing and maintaining professional relationships with other services and facility management which result in improved patient care. Participates in various facility programs designed to enhance and improve the delivery of patient care services, such as Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) teams. Develops program review and evaluation to ensure patient satisfaction dimensions of care and performance measures are achieved and that clinical quality of services and appropriate clinical resource/medication utilization and continuously evaluated and improved, as demonstrated by performance measures and wait times. Exhibits leadership in initiating changes in patient care programs based on current concepts and findings from research and studies. Keeps informed of developments in the management and treatment of diseases and illnesses through continuing medical education, both formal and informal. Recruits, trains, supervises, and retains the highest quality staff, and programs support staff, as appropriate. Administrative on-call nights/weekends/holidays and appropriate call coverage back up for clinical duties. When requested, serve as the Acting Chief of Staff during the absence of the Chief of Staff, and member of the Clinical Executive Board. Demonstrated commitment to an interdisciplinary approach to care delivery. Documented ability to coordinate a broad continuum of programs. Management experience with strong administrative and interpersonal skills. Demonstrate skills in providing clinical interface with academic affiliates and other key stakeholders. 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: Moderate Lifting (15-44 lbs); Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs); Reaching above shoulder; Walking (1 hour); Standing (1 hour); Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional/Mental Stability; Both hands required. 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 1193.01, 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.