Nephrologist

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

• This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Fayetteville NC VA Health Care System (FNCVAHCS), Medicine Service Line. The Nephrology Physician (Nephrologist) provides comprehensive subspecialty nephrology care to Veterans in inpatient and outpatient settings and is responsible for ensuring high-quality, timely, patient-centered services that meet Joint Commission, Office of Inspector General, and VA standards. The incumbent ensures appropriate use of resources, maintains state-of-the-art standards of care, and collaborates effectively with other clinical and administrative services. The Nephrologist is accountable to the Nephrology Section Chief and the Chief, Medicine Service, for effective delivery of nephrology care and compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements. Major duties include: Providing expert consultation and ongoing management for patients with acute and chronic kidney disease, electrolyte and acid-base disorders, hypertension, and related conditions in inpatient and outpatient settings. Staffing outpatient nephrology consult and follow-up clinics, both in-person and via virtual modalities, and providing inpatient consultation to acute medical and intensive care units. Performing consultative evaluations and treatments for patients referred from hospital services and affiliated VA outpatient clinics, including dialysis clinic care consistent with local credentialing and privileging. Documenting accurate, complete, and timely progress notes and orders in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) for each episode of care. Ensuring proper use, maintenance, and calibration of specialized nephrology equipment, including dialysis-related and monitoring devices, in accordance with safety and infection control standards. Adhering to safety, health, infection control, and ergonomic regulations; promptly reporting unsafe conditions to appropriate officials. Providing patient and family education, including informed consent, and supporting shared decision-making. Assisting with orientation of new staff and providing clinical teaching and supervision for nephrology fellows (if applicable), residents, and medical students on nephrology rotations. Maintaining supplies, equipment, and clinical areas to optimize safety, efficiency, and readiness. Demonstrating knowledge and correct reprocessing of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) in accordance with VA policy. Participating in performance improvement initiatives, quality and safety reviews, disaster preparedness activities, and other administrative duties as assigned by the Section Chief and Chief of Medicine Service. The Nephrologist is responsible to the Chief of Nephrology for professional practice and reports administratively to the Chief of Medicine. Administrative direction is provided through broadly defined goals and missions; the physician exercises considerable latitude in planning, designing, and carrying out program responsibilities within VA guidelines, directives, and regulations. Work is reviewed for compliance with policy and achievement of service and organizational goals. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Available to highly qualified candidates Relocation Incentive: Available to eligible candidates. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator, Cheryl Lahair, at cheryl.lahair@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more. 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 through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the Agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the Agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.