Summary

The Compensation and Pension (C&P) physician performs history and physical examinations - and evaluates appropriate diagnostic studies - and acts within the guidelines and quality indicators set forth by the Office of Disability and Medical Assessment (DMA) - C&P Service - and the Veterans Health Service (VHS).

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 allopathic 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 accrediting bodies for graduate medical education - the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - in the list published for the year the residency - or fellowship if applicable - was completed
• OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship - first year of residency - or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States
• OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - 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
• Exceptions: 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 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
• In rare and unusual circumstances - the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer - who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience - accomplishments - performance - and qualifications warrant such action
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to the following: Generates C&P examination reports that meet Office of Disability and Medical Assessment (DMA) indicators as well as facility C&P Service quality & timeliness indicators and are adequate for rating purposes
• Provides evaluation of the Veteran/Service Member in a safe & respectable manner - adhering to VA policies and procedures
• Performs history and physical examinations - and acts within the guidelines as well as performance indicators set forth by DMA - VA Central Office (VACO) - Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) and/or the facility C&P Service
• Reviews all medical records inclusive of service treatment records - current medical treatment records - available private medical records - as well as VBMS records in the evaluation of Veterans' disability and pension claims
• Responsible for generating C&P exam reports utilizing Disability Benefits Questionnaire templates
• Assumes complete professional responsibility for his/her clinical assessment findings and documentation
• Serves as a trainer for new-hire examiners as tasked by the Director C&P Service
• Demonstrates the ability to work and communicate effectively with others
• Performs additional duties which may include administrative - and/or managerial tasks as assigned by the Director C&P Service
• Works collaboratively with the Director C&P Service in the continuous process improvements of relevant programs and service operations to foster better internal and external customer services
• Engages in internal quality review procedures using clinical knowledge as well as facility C&P Service and DMA quality indicator guidelines
• Participates fully in educational development through C&P staff meetings and educational presentations
• Consults with and data shares with colleagues on C&P topics and literature findings
• Maintains CME certification and all professional training requirements to include - but not limited to - TMS and DMA - including required BLS
• Participates and attends medical center committees/meetings as assigned by the Director of C&P Service
• All other duties as assigned based on the facility and service line needs
• Preferred Experience: Board Certification in Internal Medicine - Family Practice - Neurology or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• 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 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm - Compressed Tour Authorized.