Physician - Chief of Surgery

SummaryThis 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.

Program 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.

This job is open toThe publicU.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Clarification from the agencyOnly Open to Current Federal Employees of the VA or VHA. A current Non-Award SF-50 must be submitted with application to meet the Area of Consideration requirement.
VideosDuties
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30th, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 6/17/24, 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.

Recruitment Incentive:
AuthorizedEducation Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more

EDRP Authorized:
Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceWork Schedule:
Full-time, 8:00am - 4:30pmPay: 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 VAInsurance: 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 providedContract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlightingMajor duties include, but are not limited to:The Chief of Surgical Service reports directly to the Chief of Staff (COS) and is an actively practicing surgeon or surgical specialty physician.

The Chief of Surgery will support the COS in carrying out the VA mission and ensure compliance with VA and facility directives.

The Chief of Surgery will be responsible for all clinical and administrative requirements within the service. The incumbent will ensure representation of the surgical service at meetings to meet facility, VISN, or National objectives.
Strong leadership abilities in both clinical and administrative aspects of surgical care.
Ensure the Development and implementation of a comprehensive healthcare delivery system in coordination with the VHA Mission.

Identify and address opportunities to improve patient care within the facility; Maintain a collaborative partnership with all other service chiefs, VACCHCS and VISN leadership.

Oversight of the various sections within the service and ensure they are compliant with VHA policy.
Maintain privileges and practice in his/her specialty field.
Participate in surgical call coverage for consultation and patient care.
Ensure high quality patient care is delivered in a resource efficient manner.
Promote the development of healthcare professionals within the service.

Participate in the selection of qualified professional staff and ensure that recruitment and hiring meets VA and academic affiliation requirements.

Knowledgeable in the functioning of residency and allied health educational programs within the service.
Schedule and participate in monthly staff meetings.
Ensure appropriate systems are in place to review, analyze, and evaluate patient care activities.
Monitor and tracking performance measures under Surgical Services scope of practice.

Monitor and ensure each section's staff are in compliance with VA, and other accrediting bodies as well as all other pertinent regulations/policies as appropriate.

Provide consultation and facilitate disposition of surgical care for our patients.
Demonstrate the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers.
Maintain the confidentiality of patient/employee information, and to function and work in a safe manner.

Knowledge of changes associated with ageing and principles of human growth and development possess the ability to assess and interpret patient data.

Ability to identify age-specific needs such as incorporating age specific factors, and needs into patient care activities.
Other Duties as assigned.
Requirements Conditions of EmploymentU.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.

QualificationsTo 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 Certification of Surgery

Preferred Experience:
Possess experience and expertise in administrative medicine including Executive Orders, VA and VHA orders

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:
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.

EducationDegree 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, orSchools 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 informationDuring 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 requiredPursuant to VHA Directive , 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.

BenefitsA career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE:
A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

Veterans' Preference Note:

Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA.

When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.

You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).

If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.

Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.

Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets

• Veterans
• Job Seekers
• Veterans' Preference.

BenefitsA career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Required DocumentsAs a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits.

Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee.

You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

To apply for this position, you must submit a C.V. and/or resume. Other documents may be requested later in the process if needed.
How to ApplyTo begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

To apply for this position online complete steps 1 and 2 above by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/30/2024 to receive consideration.

Please note, this announcement may close prior to the closing date indicated if the position is filled through other means.

If you are unable to apply online before the closing date click here and include the OCA-CBSW MF in the Notes field.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, , select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position.

The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application.

Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement.

You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact informationGregory SalmonPhone VA Medical Center2615 East Clinton AvenueFresno, CA 93703USNext stepsOnce your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email.

We will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.

Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications.

Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE:

Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons.

Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties.

VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students.

HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Fair and TransparentThe Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiriesEqual Employment Opportunity (EEO)

PolicyFinancial suitabilityNew employee probationary periodPrivacy ActReasonable accommodation policySelective ServiceSignature and false statementsSocial security number requestRequired DocumentsTo apply for this position, you must submit a C.V.

and/or resume. Other documents may be requested later in the process if needed.
How to ApplyTo begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

To apply for this position online complete steps 1 and 2 above by 11:
59 PM (ET) on 09/30/2024 to receive consideration.

Please note, this announcement may close prior to the closing date indicated if the position is filled through other means.

If you are unable to apply online before the closing date click here and include the OCA-CBSW MF in the Notes field.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, , select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position.

The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application.

Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement.

You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact informationGregory SalmonPhone VA Medical Center2615 East Clinton AvenueFresno, CA 93703USNext stepsOnce your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email.

We will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.

Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications.

Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE:

Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons.

Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties.

VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students.

HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Fair & TransparentThe Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiriesEqual Employment Opportunity (EEO) PolicyFinancial suitabilityNew employee probationary periodPrivacy ActReasonable accommodation policySelective ServiceSignature and false statementsSocial security number request

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