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) & 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 ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

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: Full-time BC/BE Gastroenterologist to provide both GI/hepatology in-patient consultation - and general GI and/or Hepatology outpatient services
• Procedures included general upper endoscopy and colonoscopy
• Feeding tube experience is a plus but not required
• Endoscopy sedation includes both MAC and traditional moderate sedation
• An academic appointment at the University of Utah commensurate with training and experience is offered
• Night and weekend calls are shared with the University of Utah
• Educational opportunities with the GI fellowship are routine as are educational opportunities with the University of Utah medical students and medicine residents that rotate on the GI service
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service.

Duties

• The Gastroenterology/Hepatology staff physician is an academic board-certified specialist responsible for participating in the fulfillment of the missions of the Gastroenterology Section of the Medicine Service
• The incumbent participates in the clinical care - educational efforts - and research efforts and works to achieve objectives of the Gastroenterology section in collaboration with the Chief of Gastroenterology
• In addition to the main tasks with the section - qualified persons will have the opportunity to work with the academic affiliate Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division at the University of Utah in the achievement of these objectives
• Preferred candidate will have special interest or expertise in hepatology
• Clinical: 50-70% - Consult service - clinics - and endoscopy lab
• At least 40% of the clinical practice will be dedicated to hepatology
• May vary according to other duties including research Administrative- 5% - committees and panels as assigned Education: 5 - 10% (will vary depending on the needs of the section) - trains fellows - residents and medical students from the University of Utah Gastroenterology/Hepatology fellowship - Internal Medicine Residency - and other programs at the VA campus Research: 5- 40% (will vary depending on the candidate) Patient Care-addresses medical problems - practices within scope of privileges - arrives in OR/Clinic on time - and physically attends outpatient clinics Medical/Clinical Knowledge-Maintains board certification (if board certified) - meets CME requirements - and participates in resident/student training Practice Based Learning & Improvement- Participates in work groups - committees - or departmental learning activities - and remains abreast of medical advances in his/her area of expertise and incorporates this information to deliver care that meets contemporary standards of care Interpersonal & Communication Skills- Electronic medical record entries are appropriate in tone and content
• Provides appropriate consultative evaluation - treatment - and/or follow-up recommendations Professionalism- Participates in peer reviews/committees - and absence of validated disruptive or unprofessional Behavior Systems-Based Practice-Complies with safety - security - and privacy policies - arranges proper clinical coverage during planned absences - and complies with hand-off communication policy VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact michael.campbell6@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/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 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 Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP) - which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements - loan repayments - sign-on bonus contracts - Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years)
• For additional information and eligibility requirements - contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at vacontractbuyoutprog@va.gov
• Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm