Cardiologist

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

• Make a meaningful impact in the lives of Veterans as a Cardiologist at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, part of the national VA Cardiology Hub-and-Spoke initiative. This is a hands-on, full-time position based at the main medical center in Poplar Bluff with weekly travel to our Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Cape Girardeau, Farmington and West Plains. You'll provide vital cardiovascular care to rural Veterans while benefiting from a structured, collaborative system that supports continuity of care across sites. A government vehicle is provided for travel. The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center is in the active and thriving community of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, the "Gateway to the Ozarks." Poplar Bluff has a population of 17,000, and cost of living in the area is among the lowest in the country. We are within a two-hour drive of several large cities and have a small airport. The area is quite scenic and outdoor recreational opportunities abound in nearby national and state parks and forests. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. 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 The Cardiologist will provide comprehensive, patient-centered care for veterans, delivering a full spectrum of cardiology services in outpatient, inpatient, and urgent care settings. The Cardiologist's key duties include but are not limited to: Performing and interpreting diagnostic tests such as echocardiograms, stress tests (nuclear, chemical, and routine treadmill), Holter monitor readings, and electrocardiograms (EKGs). Managing specialty clinics, including Congestive Heart Failure Clinic and post-acute myocardial infarction (AMI)/stent follow-up clinic. Conducting cardiac clearance for surgical procedures. Providing telephone consultations, electronic consultations (eConsult), and informal ("curbside") consultations to enhance collaboration with providers across the Medical Center and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). The Cardiologist will work closely with specialty care leadership and clinical staff to foster professional collaboration and improve patient outcomes. This role reports directly to the Associate Chief of Staff for Specialty Care. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

Requirements

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).

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. Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for the year in which the degree was granted. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, confirmation must be made that the medical school meets (or met) Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) eligibility requirement for year 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.