Career Center

This position is 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. 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 Eligible in Internal Medicine or Family Practice. Preferred Experience: Board Certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Internal Medicine or Family Practice. Excellent Interpersonal Skills. 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: VA Directive and Handbook 5019, applicants must be able to perform the duties as a Physician. Functional Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 lbs., use of fingers, both hands required, walking 1 hour, standing 4 hours, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), emotional stability, Environmental Factors: Radiant energy, Electrical energy, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working with hands in water, working closely with others, working alone, protracted or irregular hours of work. ["Start date can be no earlier than March 27, 2022. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Recruitment/Relocation incentive may be authorized for highly qualified applicants.\nEducation Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program for Internal Medicine or Family Practice Residents. 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\nPaid Time Off: 50-55 days of annual paid time offer 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)\nRetirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA\nInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)\nLicensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory\nCME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement\nMalpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided\nContract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting The VHSO Palliative Care Physician is responsible for the provision of consultation services and of indicated follow-up for outpatients and inpatients requiring palliative care counseling or guidance for veterans served at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks: Fayetteville, AR Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinics in Fort Smith, Ozark, and Harrison, AR; Jay, OK; Springfield, Joplin, and Branson, MO. The palliative care physician is responsible for bereavement outreach for veterans who have had palliative care consultation. The palliative care physician is responsible for assuring palliative care support for those veterans who have been referred to in-home hospice. The palliative care physician is responsible for providing palliative education to trainees and staff members as needed for job performance and for care of veterans. The palliative care physician is responsible for participating in interdisciplinary team meetings twice weekly. The palliative care physician collaborates closely with the palliative care APN/other midlevel practitioners in the provision of these services. These services may be provided face to face (especially when opioid therapy is involved) or via telehealth. The palliative care physician coordinates with the palliative care program coordinator in meeting quality measures. The palliative care physician is skilled in the practice of palliative care and is board certified or board eligible in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, or equivalent specialty, or in Palliative Medicine/Hospice. S/he reports to the Chief of Medicine. Clinical duties include but are not limited to: Oversees provision of controlled substance therapy (opioids, for example) provided to palliative care patients. Directs the provision of quality, consistent, coordinated, and time palliative specialty care at the parent facility and community-based outpatient clinics. Oversees the development and implementation of operational palliative care programs, policies and procedures that address issues and provide standards relevant to the delivery of palliative care. Participates in direct patient care and serves as a role model for peers. Has responsibility for the management and oversight of clinical operations within the palliative care service. Participates in committee work as assigned, especially in the Ethics team and with the Tumor Board. Has responsibility for conducting ongoing professional practice evaluations (OPPE) as assigned. Provides direct patient care in outpatient and inpatient wards, taking call when felt to be necessary to assure the care of the veterans. Completes required training, closure of encounters, billing, electronic view alerts, orders, medication renewals, travel requests, and other assigned tasks in a timely manner. Has responsibility for ensuring that services are provided in an efficient, high quality manner. Contributes to the development, maintenance, and enhancement of relations with internal and external entities, such as in-home hospice agencies. Participates in local administrative, management, safety, quality assurance, performance, and other functions, meetings, or committees as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."]