Physician - Primary Care

Summary 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) and 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 are ineligible to apply. 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 completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physicians 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. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree in medicine or osteopathic medicine. 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, Commonwealth of the United States, or 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. Residency options include ACGME-accredited programs, AOA-accredited programs, or other residencies followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States deemed appropriate by the local Medical Staff Executive Committee. Physician residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited programs who meet basic requirements are eligible to be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (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; instead, they will have a scope of practice that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Preferred experience: At least 5 years as a Primary Care Physician. Must be board certified or eligible in internal medicine or family medicine. Must have experience in women’s health and provide women’s health coverage. Physical requirements: 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. Duties The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers, empowering and equipping 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, you will work in a model with three core elements to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran in the context of healing relationships, healing environments, and a connection back to the Veteran’s community, aligning with the Veterans Health Administration Mission Statement to honor America’s Veterans. Manage scheduled and unscheduled patients in the outpatient clinic setting, with primary providers typically assigned a panel of patients to manage. Panel size is determined using VHA PCMM software based on national level formulas that consider local acuity, support staff, and exam rooms; each provider’s panel size is specific to their practice and setting. Alternative or collateral duties may include managing a subsection of primary care patients, defined by disease status (e.g., spinal cord injury patients) or demographic status (women veterans, OIF/OEF veterans, employees). These duties are usually designated at the time of joining but may change with strategic projects. Participation in special projects pertinent to the assigned section may be necessary as they become available through strategic or other initiatives. Applying for and keeping inpatient privileges active is optional; when on inpatient duty, primary care providers are expected to participate in discharge planning and other interdisciplinary patient‑care plan activities. Participate in sign‑in and sign‑out rounds daily; discuss patient status with the oncoming physician/MOD and ensure proper hand‑off at the end of the shift. Physicians may be assigned duty as a supervising or collaborating physician for a mid‑level provider and are expected to provide clinical oversight and review. Supervising or collaborating responsibilities and performance will be noted in the physician’s performance evaluation. Most providers may need to act as surrogates for colleagues’ patients when one or more are on leave. Each full‑time provider is required to work a minimum of 80 hours per pay period (every two weeks) unless on leave status. Compressed work schedule available: four 10‑hour work days. Follow departmental and VHA policies for leave and attendance; work within Title 38 appointment guidelines. VHA does not permit comp time or overtime pay for physicians; physicians asked to work outside their normal assigned tour of duty may request administrative leave for rest and relaxation. Leaves should be requested in advance to minimize patient cancellations. Timely documentation is required in all areas, in accordance with departmental policy. All administrative work should be completed promptly. All physicians will meet the work relative value unit (RVU) targets as determined by the national office for primary care providers. Providers will be required to be designated women’s providers and complete mandatory VHA training. All other duties as assigned. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including Education Debt Reduction Program benefits (student loan repayment). Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentive. Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 50–55 days of paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, and a possible 5‑day paid absence for CME). Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution. Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care insurance programs; many can be carried into retirement. One full and unrestricted license from any US State, territory, or the District of Columbia. Annual CME reimbursement up to $1,000 (must be full‑time with board certification). Free liability protection with tail coverage for malpractice. No physician employment contract or significant restriction on moonlighting. Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; shifts may vary. #J-18808-Ljbffr