Physician-Primary Care Specialist

The Primary Care Physician (Float) serves as a practicing physician who is responsible for the overall management of patients enrolled for healthcare services provided by the Tennessee Valley Health Care System. This position is responsible for administrative tasks associated with clinic operations, provides leadership and direction to support staff assigned to their PACT (Patient Aligned Care Team).

Responsibilities

• Fully Implements the components and processes relative to the VHA Primary Care Medical Home (PCMH) healthcare system design.
• Coordinates care for a panel of outpatients as assigned by TVHS.
• Evaluate and treat acute and chronic health problems for scheduled and unscheduled patients in clinic setting.
• Perform histories and physical exams.
• Provide appropriate documentation to minimally include history, physical exam, findings, diagnosis, definitive care plan and disposition of the patient.
• Ensures that patient encounters are appropriately closed out including disposition that clearly indicates the next steps of care.
• Ensures that each patient is provided a list of current medications and appointment list at close-out.
• Perform office procedures contained within their approved privileges.
• Prescribe medications as appropriate.
• Order routine laboratory, radiological and diagnostic tests and provide initial interpretation of results.
• Communicate test results to patients.
• Respond to questions and other inquiries from patients including use of secure messaging.
• Initiate or expedite requests for consultations and specialty tests.
• Provide education to the patient and family as necessary.
• Order immunizations and other preventive or screening services as necessary.
• Screen patients to determine the need for hospitalization.
• Perform Basic Life Support as necessary.
• Communicate clinical findings to other providers using the Computerized Patient Record System.
• Function as the managing physician for nurse practitioners and/or physician assistants as assigned by TVHS.
• Function as a preceptor for residents in the clinic setting as assigned by TVHS.
• Treats patients 18 years of age or greater.
• Consistently communicates and treats customers, veterans, their representatives, visitors and all VA staff in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner.
• Uses data sets contained in VHA database including the Almanac, Compass, EQM, and High-Risk Registries to identify and more highly manage patients.
• Complies with the Medical Center Bylaws and the Rules and Regulations of the Medical Staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

M-F 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• 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.
• 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.

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement.

• 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.
• 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.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Two years Primary Care/Ambulatory Care experience, ability to be board certified.

The work is largely office based and in a sedentary setting. No manual labor is required above ordinary situations. Incumbent must be capable of using a computer given that all clinical charting is electronic.

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.

1. Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted, or
2. 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.
3. 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.

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.

Pursuant 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.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (or the Act) prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requesting applicant criminal history record information before extending a conditional or tentative offer of employment.

In accordance with 5 U.S.C § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Act.

Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance to VA at Applicant written complaints should include the following:

• Administration name: Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
• Office name, employee name and contact information or contractor who made contact (if known).
• Date of contact.
• Details regarding the job opportunity announcement applied to, and copies of any documents or other evidence related to the complaint.
• Visit Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) for more information.