Physician

About the role

The Primary Care Physician serves as a practicing physician who is responsible for the overall management of patients enrolled for healthcare services provided by the Tennessee Valley Health Care System. Responsible for administrative tasks associated with clinic operations, provides leadership and direction to support staff assigned to their PACT (Patient Aligned Care Team).

Responsibilities

• Fully implements the components and processes relative to the VHA Primary Care Medical Home (PCMH) healthcare system design.
• Carefully coordinates care for a panel of outpatients as assigned by TVHS.
• Evaluates and treats acute and chronic health problems for scheduled and unscheduled patients in the clinic setting.
• Performs histories and physical exams.
• Provides appropriate documentation to minimally include history, physical exam findings, diagnosis, definitive care plan and disposition of the patient.
• Ensures that patient encounters are appropriately closed, including disposition that clearly indicates the next steps of care.
• Ensures that each patient is provided a list of current medications and an appointment list at close-out.
• Performs office procedures contained within their approved privileges.
• Prescribes medications as appropriate.
• Orders routine laboratory, radiological and diagnostic tests and provides initial interpretation of results.
• Communicates test results to patients.
• Responds to questions and other inquiries from patients including use of secure messaging.
• Initiates or expedites requests for consultations and special tests.
• Provides education to the patient and family as necessary.
• Orders immunizations and other preventive or screening services as necessary.
• Screens patients to determine the need for hospitalization.
• Performs Basic Life Support as necessary.
• Communicates clinical findings to other providers using the Computerized Patient Record System.
• Functions as the managing physician for nurse practitioners and/or physician assistants as assigned by TVHS.
• Functions as a preceptor for residents in the clinic setting as assigned by TVHS.
• Treats patients 18 years of age or greater.
• Consistently communicates and treats customers, Veterans, their representatives, visitors and all VA staff in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner.
• The Primary Care Physician (Float) will provide the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures and will handle conflicts and problems when dealing with customers constructively and appropriately.
• The Primary Care Physician (Float) will protect 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 statures and policy and VHA policy.
• The Primary Care Physician (Float) protects data from unauthorized release, or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion and follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files and release of access codes, etc.
• Uses data sets contained in the VHA Almanac, Compass, EQM, and High-Risk Registries to identify and more highly manage patients at high risk and /or that have recurring outcome values that are outside the norm.
• Electronically tracks various components of care to promote a higher level of care coordination.
• Maximizes the use of virtual care modalities such as Home Telemedicine, VA Video Connect, Telephone visits, Secure Messaging and e-Consults to enhance access to care.
• Complies with the Medical Center Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the Medical Staff.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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.
• Approved residencies are:
  • 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;
  • 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;
  • 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.
• Physical Requirements: The work is largely office-based and in a sedentary setting. No manual labor is required above ordinary situations. The Primary Care Physician must be capable of using a computer given that all clinical charting is electronic.

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.
• 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.