Physician - Gastroenterologist - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive and EDRP Authorized

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, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

• 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 allopathic or osteopathic medicine from a VA approved school.
• Full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or District of Columbia.
• Residency training: Physicians must have completed an approved core specialty training program leading to board‑certification, or carry equivalent post‑medical‑school training as specified in the qualification standard.
• Physician Resident Providers (PRPs): Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited programs who meet the basic requirements may be appointed as PRPs on an intermittent basis with restricted scope of practice under supervision.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard –
• Physical requirements: Pre‑employment examination or evaluation will be required.
• Questions regarding physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed during evaluation.

Duties

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates a Whole Health System of care, empowering veterans to take charge of their well‑being.
• Operating within a Whole Health model with three core elements to create personalized health plans for each veteran.
• Providing care consistent with the VHA Mission Statement to honor America’s veterans.
• Consulting on both inpatient and outpatient occasions as a gastroenterologist.
• Evaluating and treating GI disorders such as GERD, dyspepsia, dysphagia, non‑cardiac chest pain, irritable bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, chronic liver disease (excluding viral hepatitis), chronic diarrhea, constipation, and inflammatory bowel disease.
• Performing endoscopic procedures including colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD); ERCP is desirable but not required.
• Responding to patient telephone calls, informing patients of test/lab results, renewing prescriptions, providing advice to other providers, and performing other administrative duties as needed.
• Entering accurate, complete, and timely progress notes in the patient’s electronic record using the EMR.
• Properly operating, maintaining, and calibrating specialized equipment used in patient care, and adhering to safety, health, infection control, and ergonomic standards.
• Reporting unsafe conditions to supervisors or appropriate officials.
• Participating in performance‑improvement activities, disaster preparedness, and administrative duties assigned by the Chief of Surgery.
• Practicing in accordance with VA guidelines, Fargo Health Care System policies and procedures, medical‑staff bylaws and regulations, and Joint Commission standards.
• Considering age‑related functional capacity when delivering care, including understanding patient limits, providing objective self‑assessment, and communicating appropriately with older patients.
• Reporting supervision to the Chief of General Surgery – Surgical Care ICC.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with annual performance bonus and regular salary increases.
• Paid time off: 50–55 days per year, including 26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays, and up to 5 days paid CME absence.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (five‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% concession by VA.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.
• Licensure: One 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.
• Malpractice coverage: Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• No employment contract and no significant moonlighting restrictions for physicians.
• Work schedule: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.
• Recruitment/Relocation incentive (sign‑on bonus) authorized for highly qualified applicants.

Contact

– the EDRP Coordinator for questions and assistance.