Physician (EP Cardiologist)

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.

The Robley Rex VA Medical Center is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Electrophysiologist to join our Cardiology team. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated expertise in pacemaker implantation (including leadless) , Mays procedures, Defibrillators, catheter ablation for complex arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia, post-maze atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation; cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation; epicardial ablation of ventricular tachycardia; and screening, diagnosis and prevention of sudden death in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis. Additionally, the provider should Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy and complex lead extractions. This key position will also drive our pacemaker program, run a high-volume outpatient clinic, supervise MRI safety, and provide 24/7 coverage of the Electrophysiology (EP) service in partnership with a Nurse Practitioner. A robust commitment to resident and fellow education is essential in addition to a strong background in research in rhythm disorders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implant and manage leadless pacemakers and advanced cardiac devices
• Perform Mays procedures, Defibrillators, catheter ablation for complex arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia, post-maze atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation; cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation; epicardial ablation of ventricular tachycardia; and screening, diagnosis and prevention of sudden death in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis, Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy and complex lead extractions.
• Lead and continually develop our Pacemaker Program, including patient selection, procedural oversight, and outcomes monitoring
• Run a busy outpatient EP clinic, managing a full patient panel with 15-minute appointment slots to maximize patient access
• Supervise and ensure MRI safety protocols for patients with cardiac devices
• Collaborate with a dedicated Nurse Practitioner to deliver seamless, around-the clock EP service coverage
• Teach, mentor, and supervise cardiology residents and fellows; actively participate in their education and training
• Engage in quality improvement, clinical education, and interdisciplinary teamwork
• Maintain thorough documentation and compliance with VA policies and procedures

This key position will also drive our pacemaker program, run a high-volume outpatient clinic, supervise MRI safety, and provide 24/7 coverage of the Electrophysiology (EP) service in partnership with a Nurse Practitioner. A robust commitment to resident and fellow education.

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

Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@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.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:00am-3.30pm or 7:30am-4:00pm (20 hours weekly, 40 hours Per Pay Period)

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 electrophysiology physician with specialized skills in implanting pacemakers, ICDs, or CRT devices: Complex lead extractions, Mays Procedures, Supervise Fellows and residents, provide oversight for monitoring adjusting and troubleshooting these devices. EP Physicians will be in charge of surveillance monitoring. Please be advised this this position also requires ad-hoc and after hours coverage. Will need recent teaching experience and fellow and resident supervision. Will need to be able to perform complex lead extractions and Mays Procedures. Advanced Electrophysiology procedures and Complex lead extractions. Has to have recent teaching experience for cardiology fellows.

Required:

• Prior experience within the past 3 years in a university environment with teaching cardiology fellows
• Strong interest and experience in resident and fellow education
• Qualified for an active, unrestricted medical license in the United States
• Commitment to teamwork, excellent communication skills, and quality patient care
• Prior VA experience or work in an integrated health system is preferred

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

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

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.
2. Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for the year in which the degree was granted.
3. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, confirmation must be made that the medical school meets (or met) Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) eligibility requirement for year 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.