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
• Additional Requirement: Board certified or board eligible in Palliative Medicine
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Applicants must meet physical standards for the position
• A physical examination prior to placement is required
• This is a designated drug testing position
• After appointment - you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use
• Requires lifting 15-44 pounds
• pushing (approx
• 2 hours)
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers and both hands
• walking and standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Hearing aid is permitted.

Duties

• **This is an OPEN CONTINOUS ANNOUNCMENT and will remain open until May 16 - 2025
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be March 19 - 2025 - with subsequent cut-off dates every 2 weeks
• Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.** 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 V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Work Schedule: 7:00am - 3:30pm - 7:30am - 4:00pm - or 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday through Friday 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 The Hospice and Palliative Care (H&PC) Physician is an integral part of the H&PC program at the Las Vegas / Southern Nevada HealthCare System which includes an integrated inpatient and outpatient program
• The H&PC Physician works closely with the Palliative Care Team consisting of Palliative Care physicians - Palliative Care Nurses - Social Worker and Chaplain
• The incumbent will be responsible for the overall medical care of patients with conditions requiring treatment in their specialty to include consultative - prescriptive and ordering authority in the outpatient/ambulatory and or inpatient settings at the VA Southern NV Health Care System in Las Vegas - NV
• The Physician is overall responsible for serving as a key clinical primary point of accountability for patients involving primarily Palliative and Hospice Care services within the Geriatric and Extended Care service line
• The physician collaborates with other providers and specialists in and outside of the VA system to manage patients' health
• This position encompasses the duties of clinical - administrative - teaching - research - and other duties as assigned within the Geriatrics and Extended Care Service line which includes Inpatient and Outpatient Palliative and Hospice and Care - as well as Geriatric Evaluation and Home Based Primary Care
• The major duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Assessment - diagnosis - treatment and outcome measures of healthcare issues - histories and physicals - ordering diagnostic and therapeutic tests/studies - initiating consults and referrals - and prescribing medications/supplies for patients
• Management of complex medical conditions - co-morbid behavioral health illnesses - pain management issues - and a variety of psychosocial conditions with active collaboration with the multi-disciplinary teams
• Provision of hospice and palliative care consultation in acute care - outpatient - and home health settings
• Provide clear and complete direct and electronic communication with staff in all areas of the Medical Center and outside contacts to facilitate smooth patient transitions - quality patient care and high customer satisfaction
• Perform evidence-based practices to enhance symptom management of geriatric patients to include Palliative and end of life care when appropriate
• Facilitate clarification and education to patient and family around goals of care
• Supervise and teach trainees including medical students - nursing students - residents - fellows - and other medical trainees
• Represent the VA SNHS Palliative Care Program in local - VISN and national Hospice and Palliative Care work groups - meetings and conferences
• Monitors and shares best palliative care practices both within VHA and in the private sector through collaboration with the Palliative Care nurse and social worker and the Hospice Veterans Partnership.