Physician (Compensation and Pension)

The Compensation and Pension (C&P) Physician serves as a vital member of the medical staff at CWBY Bay Pines VAMC and its community-based outpatient clinics. The C&P Physician is responsible for performing comprehensive medical histories and multi-system physical examinations for Veterans, separating or retiring Service Members as part of the C&P evaluation process for disability.

This is an open continuous announcement that will remain open until filled. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Eligible applicants will be referred each week for consideration until a selection is made.

This position also assists in the direction and coordination of clinical and programmatic activities related to Employee/Occupational Health, Environmental Registry (including Burn Pit, Agent Orange, Persian Gulf, and Gulf War Exams), and Compensation and Pension services. All clinical care is provided within the physician's approved clinical privileges.

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

Recruitment / Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized for highly qualified applicants
Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN8CCOE@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.

The incumbent's primary responsibilities for Occupational Employee Health and Compensation and Pension (C&P) include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Primarily responsible for evaluations pertaining to C&P examinations requested by the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA).
• Perform comprehensive medical evaluations of Veterans seeking disability benefits.
• Review Veterans' medical history, service treatment records, and claims-related documentation.
• Conduct structured physical examinations according to VA guidelines and protocols.
• Document objective findings, clinical impressions, and required diagnostic testing.
• Complete Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) to assess the severity and impact of claimed conditions.
• Provide medical opinions regarding service connection, aggravation, and functional impairment.
• Ensure thorough, accurate, and timely documentation in the electronic health record.
• Maintain familiarity with VA regulations, rating criteria, and C&P policies.
• Communicate findings in clear, concise reports for use by VA adjudication staff.
• Attend ongoing training and quality assurance reviews to ensure compliance and best practices.
• Collaborate with other VA staff as needed regarding complex cases or clarifications.
• Remain impartial and objective throughout the evaluation process.
• Documents in report format utilizing CPRS and/or CAPRI technology per standards acceptable to VBA and DMA.
• Maintains all mandatory training specific to operation as a C&P clinician.

Occupational health and employee health experience and certification preferred. Primary care, urgent care, emergency medicine or equivalent clinical background / experience preferred.

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

• 1 yr experience performing Compensation and pension exams
• Knowledge of the process/procedure for Disability and Medical Assessment (DMA) Compensation and Pension (C&P) Disability examinations

Board certified or board eligible in Internal Medicine, Family Practice or Emergency medicine. Occupational health, MRO and CDL certifications preferred, but not required. DMA (Disability and Medical Assessment) certified to do Compensation and Pension Examinations preferred but not required at time of hire.

Occupational health and employee health experience and certification preferred. Primary care, urgent care, emergency medicine or equivalent clinical background / experience preferred.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Meets the needs of customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately
Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills in an inter-professional environment.

Age, Development and Cultural Needs of Patients

Takes into consideration "age-related" differences of the various veteran populations with this institution which include a) Young adulthood (20-40). People in general have normal physical functions and lifestyles but may have been impacted by exposure to combat arenas with resultant physical and psychosocial impairments. Stress related conditions with associated intra-personal relationship impairments may be present. Concerning job opportunities, lifestyle changes and future relationships may be present. b) Middle age (40-65). People may have developed physical problems and may have changes in lifestyles because of chronic disease, long standing injuries, or emotional traumas. Career change and family dynamics may be impacting this cohort. c) older adulthood (65-75). People may be adapting to retirement and changing physical abilities. Chronic illness may further develop leading to disability and adaptation to illness. d) Middle old (74-84). People may be adapting to declines in speed of movement, reaction time, and sensory abilities. Also, people may have increased dependence on others; e) Old (85 and over). Increasing physical problems may develop, including memory disturbances.

COMPUTER SECURITY

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 statutes and policy, and VHS&RA policy. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. The following are 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. Ensures proper chain of custody for the various paper records (C files) and other documents pertaining to this role.

SAFETY and WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment involves everyday risks of discomforts, which require safety precautions typical of hospitals, offices, and meeting rooms. Work includes working closely with others. There may be occasional risk of physical harm from a violent resident/patient that may require special precautions and training to deal with.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands of the work require the use of fingers, reaching above shoulder, prolong standing (6-8 hrs.), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Hearing aid use is permitted.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019. This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health. This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs., carrying objects up to 15 lbs., frequent reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, hands and legs, use of cranes and motor vehicles, walking & standing up to 8 hours, bending and climbing and able to hear whisper. The incumbent must be physically, emotionally and mentally stable in order to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.

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:

1. Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted, or
2. 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.
3. 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.