Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Physician (Emergency Medicine) - Chief in West Palm Beach, Florida
Summary West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System's Emergency Medicine Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Chief of Emergency Medicine. Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards, as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center. Responsibilities VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized for this position. 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 Chief of the Emergency Medicine Service reports directly to the Chief of Staff and is responsible for the clinical and administrative functions of the Emergency Department. The incumbent is responsible for participation and oversight of staff physicians and NP/PA/ICT patient care performance measures, compliance, training, and performance improvement, recruitment and retention of highly qualified and experienced providers, participation in various Medical Center committees to ensure performance measures are met, compliance with applicable rules and regulations, as well as participation in system redesign activities. The Chief of Emergency Medicine will also serve as a liaison between the Emergency Medicine Section and the other VA specialty sections, as well as the Emory Department of Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medicine Residency Training programs with the goal of eventual affiliation. The incumbent will also serve as a staff Emergency Department physician. The incumbent will be responsible for all aspects of medical care delivered to patients in the Emergency Department. It is expected that the incumbent will spend 50% of his/her time in a clinical role and 50% in an administrative role. Duties may include but not limited to the following; Representing the Emergency Department at all applicable hospital administrative and patient care meetings. Meeting with all providers in the Emergency Department regularly to review protocols, procedures, expectations for transported/transferred patients, including minor trauma victims. Monitoring established VA/VISN/Joint Commission, etc, performance measures and identified goals for the Emergency Department (e.g. physician report card), and provide providers with group and individual feedback on how to improve and/or sustain achieved success in such metrics/measures, including faculty development programs where applicable. Work to eliminate wasted efforts/work/testing in the Emergency Department, and develop and/or utilize preexisting patient care protocols (Acute Coronary Syndrome, Stroke, Sepsis) and develop tools to monitor the success of those efforts. Work with the VA Utilization Management (UM) department staff to monitor the preadmission screening process and its success in impacting InterQual appropriate inpatient admission/observation status utilization performance measures. Monitoring overall performance of all providers in the Emergency Department and provide performance improvement opportunities and/or interventions as appropriate. Monitor Emergency Department workforce needs and budget. Collaborate with the Medicine Service Group Practice Manager to develop budgets and conduct a yearly needs assessment Maintaining an up-to-date schedule which provides appropriate provider coverage in the Emergency Department. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs). 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 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.. Additional Requirement: Board Certification in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Surgery or Family Medicine. Preferred Experience: Two (2) years of leadership experience at chief level, preferably in the Department of Veterans Affairs system. Board certification in Emergency Medicine desired; however, those with board certification in Internal Medicine, Family Practice, or General Surgery will be considered if you have minimum five (5) years of Emergency Medicine experience. 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: Functional requirements may include walking (2 hours), standing (2 hours), kneeling (2 hours), repeated bending (2 hours), climbing, use of legs and arms, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), emotional and mental stability. 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.