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

About the role

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) — is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical care and administrative leadership (quality control, accrediting, etc.) for the Nephrology program within Clinical Specialty Service
• Evaluate and treat patients with electrolyte and acid-base disorders, nephrolithiasis, abnormalities in bone metabolism, anemia, refractory hypertension, acute or chronic renal failure, and end-stage renal disease
• Provide preventive care for kidney dysfunction through comprehensive patient evaluation and education
• Direct 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
• Act as point of contact with consult scheduling service to arrange appropriate placement of patients in the AVAHCS or request referral outside the system; review requested diagnostic studies as needed to ensure appropriateness
• Participate in education of fellows and residents as needed
• Diagnose kidney-related medical problems
• Study normal kidney function, kidney problems, treatment of kidney problems, and renal replacement therapy (dialysis and kidney transplantation)
• Specialize in management of patients with a wide range of renal disorders including glomerulonephritis, renal cancer, hydronephrosis, etc.
• Perform pre-transplant assessments in some patients or assist in referral for consideration of transplant surgery
• Examine patients thoroughly; obtain appropriate clinical, laboratory, and other pertinent data to determine care
• Interpret and evaluate clinical data for the purpose of determining diagnosis and clinical status
• Prescribe appropriate and timely treatment; apply indicated therapeutic procedures; recognize and assess changes in behavior, symptoms, signs, and other pertinent facts about the patient and modify plan of treatment when indicated; recognize own capabilities and limitations
• Remain readily available and quick in recognizing emergency situations and taking timely necessary action
• Develop and maintain rapport and gain the confidence of patients and relatives through competence and interpersonal skills so that patients and others are informed participants in the treatment effort
• Recognize the need for consultation and utilize facility or clinic specialty skills in diagnosis and treatment
• Record physical and other examinations and changes in patient's status promptly and completely; promptly report unusual incidents to the appropriate official; keep clear, accurate, and adequate clinical records current and completed at time of discharge; clearly state the treatment plan
• Maintain full knowledge of and utilize the Computerized Patient Record System; complete and sign all progress notes and orders daily
• Complete all encounters daily by physician (affects Medical Center's funding)
• Complete consults at the time patient has been seen

Qualifications

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
• 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. 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 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 applied 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 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 (not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; they have a "scope of practice" allowing them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. 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

Physical Requirements

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

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm

Pay

Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases

Benefits

• 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
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized to highly qualified applicants
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): EDRP authorized; former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator, for questions/assistance.