Pathologist

Summary

Education and length of practice are considered through a formal pay‑setting process to determine the final compensable salary (Base Pay + Market Pay).

Qualifications

To qualify for this position you must meet the basic requirements and any additional requirements 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.

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.
• Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree in medicine or osteopathic medicine, obtained from a VA‑approved school in the year of completion.
• Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program leading to eligibility for board certification.
• For physicians in academic training programs, board certification may be required for faculty status.
• Residency programs approved by ACGME or AOA, or other residencies with five years of verified U.S. practice deemed appropriate by the local Medical Staff Executive Committee.
• Physician Resident Providers (PRPs) must be fully licensed physicians and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee basis; they are not independent practitioners and will not be privileged.
• PRPs must operate within a scope of practice that allows certain restricted duties under supervision.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred experience: Hospital‑based pathology and laboratory medicine.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard -

Physical Requirements

• Moderate lifting (15-44 lbs).
• Light carrying (under 15 lbs).
• Straight pulling (up to 2 hours).
• Pushing (up to 2 hours).
• Reaching above shoulder.
• Use of fingers.
• Both hands required.
• Walking (up to 3 hours).
• Standing (up to 3 hours).
• Kneeling (up to 1.5 hours).
• Repeated bending (up to 2 hours).
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16".
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other.
• Hearing (aid permitted).
• Clear speech.
• Applicants pending completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Duties

• Provide diagnostic services in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine for the James J Peters VA Healthcare System and surrounding CBOCs.
• Oversee overall clinical and administrative functions of the Pathology providers as Chief.
• Formulate and report diagnostic information on anatomic pathology specimens, including surgical, cytopathology, and autopsy cases.
• Provide clinical laboratory consultation to technical staff and healthcare providers.
• Participate in quality assurance measures for laboratory sections per accreditation standards.
• Teach residents, medical students, allopathic medicine students, and other healthcare personnel.
• Perform gross specimen review, intraoperative frozen section processing, and intraoperative consultation.
• Interpret and sign‑out surgical pathology specimens within CAP guidelines for turnaround time.
• Order and interpret appropriate immunohistochemical and special stains.
• Participate in multidisciplinary conferences such as Tumor Board and specialty pathology conferences.
• Review clinical history and medical records for autopsy coverage, ensuring appropriate consent documentation.
• Perform and supervise autopsies; issue preliminary findings within 2 calendar days and completed reports within 60 days.
• Participate in quality assurance, inter‑laboratory comparison programs, and ongoing professional practice evaluations.
• Provide 24‑hour on‑call services as scheduled.
• Review hematology fluids and issue diagnostic interpretation.
• Engage in continuing medical education to maintain licensure and sharpen diagnostic skills.
• Complete VA‑assigned educational modules promptly.
• Apply diagnostic expertise and sign‑out in any subspecialty area of fellowship training.
• Participate in approved department and inter‑facility research projects.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• Paid time off: 50-55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays, and up to 5 days for CME).
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.
• 1 full and unrestricted license from any U.S. State or territory; CME reimbursement up to $1,000 per year for full‑time board‑certified physicians.
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
• No physician employment contract and no significant restrictions on moonlighting.
• Work schedule: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. M‑F typical, alternative schedules possible based on clinical needs.

Contact: for questions or assistance.