The Provider in this position will serve as the Chief of Compensation and Pension service for the Iowa City VAHCS and report directly to the Associate Chief of Ambulatory Care. Compensation and Pension exams serve the purpose of determining the amount of disability a Veteran might be suffering as a result of his/her service in the military. 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: Excellent interpersonal skills required with the ability to communicate effectively and interact with people of diverse backgrounds. Experience in providing leadership guidance, oversight, and quality assurance. Excellent organizational skills. Speaking skills required as needed to disseminate information to providers. 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: The physician should be physically and mentally capable to perform the duties of the position. Physical activities include sitting, standing, walking, reaching above the shoulder, and repeated bending. ["The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Duties include, but are not limited to: Supervising Physicians, Mid-level practitioners and other health care providers as assigned. Ensuring Compensation and Pension examinations (including IDES exams for active-duty members) are conducted consistently within the required time frames. Providing administrative, programmatic, and clinical oversight of the Compensation and Pension service. Development and implementation of appropriate policies, procedures, plans and professional standards that guide and support the Compensation and Pension service. Development of program review and evaluation to ensure that the access, quality of care, customer service/patient satisfaction and utilization management/efficiency dimension of care are continuously evaluated and improved. Complying with all functions and standards of accreditation entities such as The Joint Commission. Collaboration with specialty departments who may provide services as part of the Compensation and Pension service. Providing medical opinions relating to the service-connected benefits, receive cases on appeal and respond in a timely manner. Staff Management: retention to include performance appraisal (midyear and year-end) Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (2x a year), reward and recognition, promotions, disciplinary actions & grievances, training requirements (and TMS capability) and Protected and Administrative Peer Reviews. Performs basic clinical skills required for direct patient care to evaluate, diagnose, consult, and provide basic treatment. Performs appropriate evaluation and management of patients to include ordering of diagnostic tests and consultations and discriminates between normal and abnormal findings and makes appropriate treatment decisions. Participates effectively in team meetings and treatment planning conferences and collaborates with multidisciplinary team members in a manner that enhances coordination of comprehensive patient care. Clinical duties consist of providing independent clinical evaluation of veterans for disability, pension, environmental hazard and/or registry examinations. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid 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) 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 Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Alternative hours can be discussed during the interview process."]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
