Physician - Chief of Pathology and Lab (PLMS)

Summary The incumbent serves as the administrative and clinical service Chief, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS), and is responsible for the overall operation of P&LMS at this multi-divisional Medical System that includes two (2) Medical Centers, six Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), the Chantilly Health Care Clinic (HCC), a 100-bed Community Living Center and a 43-bed homeless domiciliary. Responsibilities VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Not Authorized 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 Duties: The Chief, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service has the full responsibility for the overall management of CAVHCS P&LMS, assuring the support of the mission and values of this health care system and VISN 7. The Chief, P&LMS is a fully licensed independent practitioner (LIP), board-certified in anatomic pathology and/or clinical pathology, with at least five (5) years of post-residency diagnostic experience in pathology and laboratory medicine, including surgical pathology, cytology, clinical laboratory and autopsy. Knowledge of laboratory regulations and preparation for accreditation surveys, e.g., College of American Pathologists, Joint Commission, OIG, CARF. The incumbent supports the functions of the Service based on the mission and needs of the facility and the assigned clinical privilege delineation. Responsible for accomplishing the goals, objectives, plans and policies established by the Chief of Staff and Health Care System Director. Responsible for determining strategic direction for the service and to meet organizational targets regarding pathology and laboratory services and timeliness measures. Planning of laboratory operations, including budgets and new initiatives. Participates in Quality Management and Improvement within the service. Supports cost-effective use of resources in the operation of the laboratory. Organizes staff meetings, communication both to staff, other Service Chiefs, Leadership, as well as Congressional responses, heads up and issue briefs as needed. Responsible for the coordination and administration of all related activities in the service, including the management of P&LMS and supervision of personnel. Responsible for Human Resources recruitment, updates on Functional Statements and Position Descriptions; physician salary management and pay panel documentation, non-VA care documentation, Focused and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations (FPPE/OPPE) for privileged staff. Staff management including performance appraisals, rewards and recognition, promotions, disciplinary actions and grievances, training requirements, employee health requirements, protected and administrative peer reviews. Time and Leave Management including tour of duty assignments and documentation, VATAS approval of leave, time card certification and approvals. Business Planning including systems redesign, managing service DSS mapping (workload), staffing needs, capacity and demand analysis, resource needs followed by oversight of the Laboratory Manager's preparation of an annual Service Business Plan. Full Supervisory authority over staff members who provide clinical and administrative support to P&LMS. Utilizes provider data and sets goals for CAVHCS P&LMS to address deficiencies. Plans, implements and manages the Performance Improvement/Quality Management programs within P&LMS. The Chief, P&LMS, establishes an atmosphere conducive to the accomplishment of the mission of CAVHCS and P&LMS. Delegates authority and provides program direction to the P&LMS Laboratory Manager who in turn delegates to subordinate coordinators and supervisors. Ensures Staff Pathologists are qualified and proficient in specialty or specific tasks for which privileges are requested. Ensures the performance of all Staff Pathologists meets or exceeds the College of American Pathologists Standards for Accreditation as well as meeting the requirements prescribed by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM, (subject to change based on agency needs) Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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: Completion of an approved Pathology Residency. Board certified in Anatomic and/or Clinical Pathology. Three years of supervisory experience. Experience within the VA. At least 5 years of post residency experience. 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. Education 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 an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are: Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted, or Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association for the year in which the degree was granted. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, facility officials must verify with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) that the applicant has met requirements for certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. [If the applicant does not claim an ECFMG certificate, facility officials must still confirm that the medical school meets (or met) ECFMG eligibility requirements for the year the candidate graduated.] NOTE: The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.