The incumbent provides physical examinations for the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) in the Compensation & Pension Service. The C&P Service Physician performs disability examinations to confirm diagnoses and level of health disability, consistent with the training of a general board certified Physician. To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) 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. Currently employed physician(s) 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. 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, or 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. (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), b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences. Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would 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: The C&P Physician must utilize the prescribed electronic medical record. The C&P Physician must proficiently utilize MS Word to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text; formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving email. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Duties are primarily sedentary in nature, but also require intermittent periods of bending lifting, stooping, stretching, pushing and similar activities. The work requires average agility and dexterity. The work occasionally requires assisting veterans to clinics. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): MAY be approved for highly skilled individuals. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): This position may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. 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 complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more. 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 possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA 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 US 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 Functions/Scope of Assigned Duties: 1: The C&P Physician performs history and physical examinations, orders and evaluates appropriate diagnostic studies, and acts within the guidelines and quality indicators set forth by the C&P Service, Regional Office, TVHS, and the VA Disability Medical Assessment Office (DMA). 2: The C&P Physician is responsible for generating C&P exam reports utilizing CAPRI and CPRS templates; dictation templates and/or other methods as approved by the Chief of C&P Service for the official record of the veterans'/soldier's C&P examination. The C&P Physician provides needed addendums according to various rating processes. 3: The C&P Physician engages in peer review procedures and other C&P administrative duties as directed by the Chief of C&P Service. 4: The C&P Physician must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate veterans/soldiers served by TVHS C&P Service. The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the changes associated with aging and possess the ability to evaluate veterans/soldiers based upon physical, psychological, psycho/social, cultural, safety and/or unit specific policies and procedures. C&P Physicians will maintain productivity standards as set by the Chief of C&P. 5: The C&P Physician demonstrates leadership in the C&P Service and demonstrates the ability to work effectively between the Veteran Health Administration (VHA) and the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). The C&P Physician generates C&P examination reports that are adequate for rating purposes. The C&P Physician also functions as a resource advisor to other examiners. 6: The C&P Physician uses effective decision-making and leadership in the application of the C&P evaluation of the veteran. 7: The C&P Physician reviews completed exams for quality using clinical knowledge and rating. 8: The C&P Physician reviews the service treatment records of each veteran examined and provides appropriate opinions as requested. 9: The C&P Physician works co-operatively with administrative staff, case managers, DoD employees and all VA employees. 10: The C&P Physician provides feedback to examiners and the Chief of C&P Service regarding exams. 11: The C&P Physician collaborates with the C&P Chief on complex medical opinions. 12: They C&P Physician supervises mid-level examiners as directed by the Chief of C&P. 13: The C&P Physician responds to emails, requests for addendums/clarifications and any other requests professionally and in a timely manner. 14: The C&P Physician maintains an acceptable sufficient examination report performance. 15: The C&P Physician addresses insufficiencies in a timely manner. 16: The C&P provider gives proper notice for absences to minimize clinic cancellations. 17: The C&P Physician performs C&P examinations according to VBA Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) and DoD standards. 18: The C&P Physician performs duties within the scope of approved privileges set forth by the C&P Service and Chief of Staff TVHS. 19: The C &P physician maintains CME certification and all training requirements to include, but not limited to, TMS, and DMA. Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m."]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
