Physician (MD/DO) - Cardiologist - SIGN ON BONUS

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an 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 application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements listed in the job 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. Currently employed physicians 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.
• Doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine.
• Degree must have been obtained from a school approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for 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.
• 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.
• Alternatively, one year of post‑medical‑school training (internship or first year of residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of independent practice under an unrestricted license in the United States.
• Non‑U.S. residency training followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States, performing duties related to the position.
• Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA‑accredited programs and otherwise meeting basic requirements may be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians, may only be appointed on an intermittent basis, are not independent practitioners, and have a scope of practice that allows certain restricted duties under supervision.
• In rare circumstances, the Facility Director may submit a memo to the VISN Director for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement, subject to approval.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Board certification or eligibility in Cardiology is preferred. Echo imaging/TEE experience is an advantage.

Physical Requirements

• Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over)
• Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over)
• Straight pulling (up to 4 hours)
• Pushing (1–2 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 8 hours)
• Standing (up to 8 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 4 hours)
• Rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13–16 inches
• Hearing (aid permitted)

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards include a recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus) for highly qualified candidates and eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).
• You must meet specific eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date.
• 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 application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.
• Contact for questions or assistance.
• Pay: 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 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 carry into retirement).
• Licensure: One 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.
• Cardiologist responsibilities: Ultimately responsible for the oversight of all aspects of cardiac medical care delivered to patients in their care.
• Provide or assist fellows, residents, students, and/or nurse practitioners in patient evaluation and treatment, and actively participate in corrective actions against untoward responses to medical interventions.
• Evaluate patients to assess changes in physical and mental status during their stay.
• Enter a history and physical note with appropriate detail, assessment, and plan for acute and ongoing care, including discharge planning, into the medical record.
• Write a daily progress note in the patient’s chart. Include concurrence with notes written by the fellow, resident, student, or nurse practitioner, and attending notes as appropriate.
• Perform inpatient medical evaluations and treatment, and provide consultative services to non‑medicine services in a timely manner.
• During scheduled tour hours, be available for all urgent assessments and interventions as part of the inpatient care team.
• Evening and/or night call may be required as determined by service needs.
• Appropriately credentialed and privileged.
• Participate in various hospital committees, medicine service and hospital in‑service programs, and education programs of the medicine service and the hospital.
• Involved in continuous quality improvement through the VA peer review process.
• Responsible for graduate and undergraduate medical education and scientific research as appropriate.
• Work schedule: 8:00 am–4:30 pm with some on‑call during nights and weekends.