Physician (Nephrologist) - EDRP/Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized

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 Staff Physician, Nephrologist is responsible for clinical care and administrative leadership (quality control, accrediting, etc.) for the Nephrology program within Clinical Specialty Service.

• Provides evaluation and treatment for patients with electrolyte and acid­ base disorders, nephrolithiasis, and abnormalities in bone metabolism, anemia, refractory hypertension, acute or chronic renal failure, and end-stage renal disease.
• Preventive care for the kidney dysfunction is provided through comprehensive patient evaluation and education.
• Directs patient movement with respect to appropriate diagnostic studies, and treatments.
• Provide expert opinion on level and appropriateness of care, for patients in the AV ARCS requiring Nephrology services.
• Incumbent will act as point of contact with consult scheduling service, to arrange the appropriate placement of patients in the AVAHCS or requesting referral outside the system and will review requested diagnostic studies as needed to ensure appropriateness.
• The incumbent will participate in education of fellows and residents as needed.
• Diagnoses kidney-related medical problems. Studies normal kidney function, kidney problems, the treatment of kidney problems and renal replacement therapy ( dialysis and kidney transplantation).
• Specializes in the management of patients with a wide range of renal disorders which include glomerulonephritis, renal cancer, hydronephrosis, etc. Nephrologists may also perform pre-transplant assessments in some patients or assists in referral for consideration of transplant surgery.
• Examinations-Evaluates patients by examining thoroughly. Appropriate clinical, laboratory and other pertinent data is obtained to determine care the patient is provided.
• Diagnosis--Interprets and evaluates clinical data for the purpose of determining diagnosis and clinical status.
• Therapeutic Ability--Prescribes appropriate and timely treatment; applies indicated therapeutic procedures; recognizes and assesses changes in behavior, symptoms, signs, and other pertinent facts about the patient and modifies plan of treatment when indicated. Recognizes own capabilities and limitations.
• Effectiveness in Emergencies--The incumbent is readily available; and quick in recognizing emergency situations and taking timely necessary action.
• Patient Management--Develops and maintains rapport and gains the confidence of patients and relatives through competence and interpersonal skills to the end that patients and others are informed participants in the treatment effort.
• Consultations and Specialty Skills--Recognizes the need for consultation and utilizing facility or clinic specialty skills in diagnosis and treatment.
• Record keeping--Physical and other examinations and changes in patient's status are promptly and completely recorded. Unusual incidents are promptly reported to the appropriate official. Clear, accurate, and adequate clinical records are kept current and completed at time of discharge. The treatment plan is clearly stated. The physician is fully knowledgeable of and utilizes the Computerized Patient Record System. All progress notes, orders are to be completed and signed daily.
• Encounters - All encounters to be completed daily by physician as this affects Medical Center's funding.
• Consults Closure: Consults are required to be completed by the provider at the time patient has been seen.

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

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): May be Authorized to Highly Qualified Applicants
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

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/Board Eligible in Nephrology
• 2 or more years experience in treating patients for renal conditions
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing

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

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. A pre-placement examination will be required to be able to determine if the incumbent is able to safely operate a Government-owned Vehicle.

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.