Physician - Emergency Medicine

Summary

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 determines award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) after review. Former EDRP participants are ineligible.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements listed in the announcement. Applicants pending completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Current VA physicians with prior appointments under the previous standard are deemed to have met the basic requirements.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens per VA policy.
• Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree from allopathic or osteopathic medicine.
• The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year the study was completed.
• Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Residency training: Physicians must have completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program leading to board‑certification eligibility.
• 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 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 under a full and unrestricted license in the United States.
• OR (3) Non‑U.S. residency training followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice under a full and unrestricted license in the United States performing duties related to the position. U.S. fellowships would be creditable toward this requirement.
• Exceptions: Residents currently enrolled in accredited residency programs who would otherwise meet the basic requirements 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.
• They are to have a "scope of practice" allowing them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision.
• Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs.
• In rare circumstances, the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer to request reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for physicians whose record merits such action.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Additional requirement: ABEM or AOBEM board eligible or board certified. For more information on this qualification standard visit
• Physical requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Key Clinical Responsibilities
  • Perform comprehensive evaluations, stabilization, and treatment for all emergency department patients.
  • Order and interpret appropriate routine diagnostic studies.
  • Collaborate with primary care, subspecialists, and inpatient teams for safe transitions of care.
  • Supervise and provide clinical oversight to emergency department nurses and advanced practice providers.
  • Deliver care aligned with American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Model for the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine standards and facility capabilities.
  • Support EMS programs and provide medical direction for pre‑hospital care when appropriate.
  • Ensure clinical practice is consistent with EMTALA, Joint Commission standards, OIG requirements, VA directives, VISN guidelines, HIPAA, and all applicable policies.
  • Participate in both facility and departmental quality and performance‑improvement initiatives, including peer review and patient safety activities.
• Teaching & Supervisory Responsibilities
  • Supervise, teach, and evaluate students, residents, fellows, and PA/NP learners assigned to the emergency department.
  • Provide clinical and professional oversight aligned with VA policies and academic affiliate expectations.
  • Promote excellence in emergency care through supervision, clinical reasoning mentorship, medical decision making, and coaching on procedures and patient safety.
• Administrative & Professional Responsibilities
  • Participate in clinical performance measures, chart reviews, and process improvement.
  • Attend required meetings and complete all mandatory trainings.
  • Maintain timely, thorough medical documentation.
  • Support facility accreditation readiness, compliance reviews, and emergency preparedness.
  • Serve on committees and contribute to facility‑wide initiatives as assigned.

Benefits & Compensation

• VHA Physician Total Rewards.
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more.
• EDRP authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentive.
• Contact for coordinator questions and 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 a possible 5‑day paid absence for CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• 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 U.S. 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.
• Work Schedule: Monday–Friday with shared rotation of nights, weekends, and holidays.