Career Center

Summary

The Amarillo VA Health Care System - Amarillo - Texas is seeking an experienced and dynamic Cardiologist to manage patient population with cardiac diseases - assessments and medication management within the agency. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized to a highly qualified candidate. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)

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 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
• (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 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
• OR (2) 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
• OR (3) 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
• Exceptions: 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 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
• 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 or certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCM) or American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) with Fellowship Training in Cardiology
• required for joint faculty with an affiliated university
• Competency in all six ACGME Core Competencies: Patient Care
• Medical Knowledge
• Interpersonal Communication Skills
• Professionalism
• Practice-Based Learning
• and System-Based Practice
• General Cardiology management of heart failure - but also in the procedures in the echocardiographic laboratory
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds) - light carrying (under 15 pounds) - straight pulling - pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - walking - standing - kneeling - repeated bending - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - near vision correctable (at 13" to 16" to jaeger 1 to 4) - far vision correctable ( in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other) - hearing (aid permitted) - emotional and mental stability - and clear speech.

Duties

• The staff cardiologist has the following responsibilities: Examinations - Evaluates patients by examining thoroughly
• Appropriate clinical - laboratory and other pertinent data is obtained to determine care the patient is provided
• Diagnosis - Interprets and evaluates clinical data for the purpose of determining diagnosis and clinical status
• Performs and/or interprets EKGs - Echocardiograms - Nuclear stress testing - Exercise Treadmill Testing - etc
• as required
• Therapeutic Ability - Prescribes appropriate and timely treatment
• applies indicated therapeutic procedures
• recognizes and assesses changes in behavior - symptoms - signs - and other pertinent facts about the patient and modifies plan of treatment when indicated
• Recognizes own capabilities and limitations
• Effectiveness in Emergencies - The incumbent is readily available
• and quick in recognizing emergency situations and taking timely necessary action
• Maintains BLS/ACLS certifications - moderate sedation - and OOORAM certification as applicable with facility Bylaws
• Patient Management - Develops and maintains rapport and gains the confidence of patients and relatives through competence and interpersonal skills to the end that patients and others are informed participants in the treatment effort
• Consultations and Specialty Skills - Recognizes the need for consultation and utilizing facility or clinic specialty skills in diagnosis and treatment
• Record keeping - Physical and other examinations and changes in patient's status are promptly and completely recorded
• Unusual incidents are promptly reported to the appropriate official
• Clear - accurate - and adequate clinical records are kept current and completed at time of discharge
• The treatment plan is clearly stated
• The physician is fully knowledgeable of and utilizes the Computerized Patient Record System
• All progress notes - orders are to be completed and signed daily
• Encounters - All encounters to be completed daily by physician as this affects hospital funding
• Consults Closure - Consults are required to be completed by the provider at the time patient has been seen
• Educational Activities - Educational responsibilities usually involve either \"teaching\" or ''coordination.'' Some positions may involve both or cut across the elements or functions
• Teaching and Monitoring -Covers both the individual and group learning experiences where one serves as the learning facilitator in the role of a mentor or teacher for residents - trainees - or employees
• As a mentor - plans and guides educational activities to meet the individual needs of the learner within the resources available
• Counsels learner on professional/occupational goals as they relate to education activities
• Encourages active participation on the part of the student
• Actively solicits evaluation from students of teaching and educational experiences
• Assures that content is based upon student and patient care needs - up-to-date and at the appropriate level for the audience
• Develops courses - lectures or programs based on preestablished objectives
• Employs learning resources and media (library - film - slides - etc.) in an appropriate manner
• Coordination of Educational Programs - Assesses educational needs for both continuing and basic education programs - using audits - self-assessment surveys - morbidity and mortality data - and new developments in health care
• Establishes and maintains procedures for professionals to self-assess and partake in needs assessment procedures
• Selects needs for which education/training is the most cost-effective intervention
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m
• - 4:30 p.m.) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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