The incumbent serves as the Clinical Laboratory Technical Director in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the patient-focused VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS). The incumbent is directly responsible to the Chief, P&LMS and provides technical direction to multiple clinical sections of the laboratory which includes, but may not be limited to, Chemistry, Reference Testing, Ancillary Testing, and Coagulation. 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: The Clinical Laboratory Technical Director will be an experienced, fully trained pathologist that is board certified in Clinical Pathology or board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology by the American Board of Pathology. 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. ["The role of the Clinical Laboratory Technical Director physician includes, but is not limited to, the following: Works closely with peers in other service lines, services, and management to meet the needs of recognized customer groups. Contributes to the operation of effective and safe laboratories in compliance with applicable accrediting agency standards and regulatory requirements. Ensures accurate clinical laboratory test results with turnaround times that meet reasonable expectations when adequately supported with necessary resources. Promotes an effective, balanced relationship with academic affiliates that results in a joint and mutually advantageous partnership. Ensures communication and coordination between the laboratory and the clinical services. Continually challenges the technical and clinical staff to evaluate the overall delivery of services to encourage appropriateness of laboratory utilization and medical relevance, assure technologic efficiency and quality, and to continually improve the laboratories' services, as new processes and technologies are available. Participates in the Laboratory Quality Improvement Plan, addressing appropriate and practical QI needs as indicated by accreditation, internal and external sources. Coordinates use of all pertinent resources available for clinical laboratory functions. Identifies and develops potential sources of revenue within established VA regulations. Conducts and directs special studies and analyses of complex problems relating to manpower requirements, space, equipment utilization, organization alignment, and other areas of concern as applicable to the clinical laboratory. Identifies needs for and recommends major equipment acquisition and replacement with consideration being given to timeliness and cost effectiveness Manages P&LMS clinical laboratory programs as assigned for quality assurance. Ensures compliance with all applicable accrediting organizational standards. Actively participates in successful achievement of stated VHA, VISN and TVHS performance measures. Other duties as assigned. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be offered to highly qualified candidate. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): 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. EDRP Authorized: Contact Betsy Quinn, Betsy.Quinn@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00AM - 3:30PM or 8:00AM - 4:30PM. The Clinical Laboratory Technical Director pathologist is on a regular rotational schedule to take call for Clinical Pathology shared among other CP pathologists and must be available to provide consultation for Clinical Pathology issues as the need arises. Pathologists certified in Anatomic Pathology, who wish to continue practicing AP, may be placed on a rotational schedule for Anatomic Pathology at the incumbent's request."]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
