PHYSICIAN CARDIOLOGIST

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet the specific eligibility requirements set by VA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval, including award amount (up to $200,000) and eligible period (one to five years), are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

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 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, 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 include: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME); (2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA); or (3) Other non‑US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States, as deemed by the local Medical Staff Executive Committee to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and exposure to a range of patient care experiences.
• Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who 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 or fee‑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.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred Experience: Board Eligible/Certified in Cardiology.
• Experience in general Cardiology. For more information on this qualification standard – please visit
• Physical Requirements: Periods of long standing; occasional lifting of moderately heavy objects; long periods of sitting at a computer station.
• The need for high degree of accuracy, potentially stressful situations, and the ability to adapt work plans based on patient status.

Preferred Experience

• Board Eligible/Certified in Cardiology.
• Experience in general Cardiology.

Duties

• The Cardiologist Physician will deliver comprehensive health care within their specialty to a diverse Veteran population, considering cultural, socioeconomic, military service and age‑specific criteria.
• Provide competent care, obtain relevant health and medical history, perform physical examinations, and perform or order preventive/diagnostic procedures based on client age and history.
• Identify health and medical risk factors, apply critical thinking in the diagnostic process, synthesize and analyze collected data, formulate differential diagnoses, establish priorities to meet the health needs of the Veteran, and formulate individualized treatment plans.
• Order additional diagnostic tests, select appropriate pharmacologic and non‑pharmacologic interventions, develop a patient education plan, initiate consultation/referral as indicated, and maintain a process for systematic follow‑up.
• Evaluate effectiveness of treatment plans promptly, document effects of interventions, reassess and modify plans as necessary to achieve health care goals, and serve on committees, teams, workgroups, and chart reviews as requested/approved by administration.
• Complete all training as mandated by VA and maintain a comprehensive health care plan for patients within the scope of specialty.
• Provide ongoing inpatient or outpatient care for patients in the assigned clinical setting, including inpatient rounds when applicable, updating medical records, changing orders when appropriate, and notifying the responsible physician of significant changes in the patient's condition.
• In outpatient settings, evaluate outpatients and manage acute and chronic illnesses, preventive health care, and screening according to the usual scope of care.
• Consult with other physicians regarding diagnosis, treatment, and follow‑up of outpatients as indicated.

Benefits

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
• VHA Physician Total Rewards.
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus) authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Student Loan Repayment – Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). EDRP authorized; former participants are ineligible for incentive.
• 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 paid Federal holidays, and possible 5 days paid absence for CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care insurance (many federal insurance programs are eligible for continuation into retirement).
• Licensure: One full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory.
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided.
• Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Work Schedule

8:00 am – 4:30 pm