Physician (HBPC Medical Director)

About the role

The Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) program, under the Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) service, targets frail, chronically ill Veterans who require care by interdisciplinary health care teams to provide continuity and coordination/integration of diverse services to address complex medical, social, rehabilitative and behavioral care needs.

Responsibilities

• Collaborating with the VA medical facility HBPC Program Director on HBPC Program management responsibilities outlined in VHA Directive 1411.
• Planning and directing the educational and clinical experience of health professions trainees (HPTs) assigned to the HBPC Program.
• Being readily accessible and promptly responsive to calls from HBPC team members with urgent need for consultation, physician orders or as requested by the Veteran.
• Overseeing care planning for all Veterans enrolled in the HBPC Program by either actively participating in HBPC Program team meetings or delegating an HBPC Physician to participate in team meetings.
• Communicating medical care advances and practice standards to the HBPC team.
• Arranging physician coverage as needed and communicating the plan of coverage to the HBPC PACT.
• Providing leadership in the GEC Service aimed at achieving GEC program goals and objectives and the mission and vision of the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center.
• Providing input for strategic planning for future HBPC growth or improvements.
• Developing or maintaining policies and procedures to ensure compliance with VHA policy and regulatory/accrediting bodies.
• Fostering an environment of continuous improvement.
• Assuming a leadership role in the development and implementation of performance improvement plans affecting the HBPC.
• Demonstrating consistent and positive interpersonal skills with Veterans, their families, and other VA staff and providers.
• Conducting themselves in a professional, ethical and courteous manner while treating and dealing with Veterans, their families, and other VA staff and providers.
• Adhering to the principles of a High Reliability Organization.
• Leading regular HBPC Provider staff meetings.
• Participating in monthly VISN or VHA calls pertaining to HBPC, as appropriate.
• Participating in quality management activities such as medical records reviews, Drug Utilization Evaluations, Root Cause Analyses and Peer Reviews at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center.
• Serving on facility committees when appropriate.
• Working to meet performance measures set by the facility, VISN or VHA.
• Responding to complaints by Veterans and/or their families to the Patient Advocate or other avenues in a timely manner.
• Anticipating potential problems and attempting to solve those problems before they lead to complaints.
• Immediately informing the Associate Chief of Staff of GEC of any witnessed or suspected patient abuse.
• Providing constructive feedback to supervises in a timely manner and per HR policies.
• Participating in monthly Medical Staff meetings as required.

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.