Physician (Chief of Pathology & Laboratory Services) w/Recruitment-Relocation Incentive

Summary

The Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Service serves as the administrative and clinical Section Chief for Pathology and Laboratory Service and is responsible for the overall operation of the Service Line at the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VATVCBHCS). A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified individual.

Duties

• The Chief of Pathology & Laboratory oversees clinical operations with responsibility for quality outcomes and patient safety. Administrative functions will include, but not be limited to, budget and fiscal management, human resource management, strategic planning, and program development. The Chief assures that the clinical and administrative functions are integrated in order to provide optimum utilization of available resources. The position ensures the quality and timeliness of the services provided, including customer satisfaction, as well as compliance with standards of accrediting bodies such as The Joint Commission, CAP, OIG, etc.The position ensures appropriate use of available resources and is responsible for inspiring, motivating, and guiding the VATVCBHCS Path & Lab staff in achieving the strategic goals and plans of the service. The position collaborates with other management officials within the VATVCBHCS in a collegial manner with the aim of furthering the mission of the VHA. The Chief of Path & Lab functions as a provider in the pathology specialty, collaborates with referring providers, optimizes timeliness, and ensures quality. The Chief of Path & Lab accomplishes the health care delivery mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs in general. Services provided are subject to close scrutiny by Congressional interests, service organizations, the general public and the media. The Chief of Path & Lab is to be a physician, board certified by the American Board of Pathologists, and should hold an unrestricted state medical license within the United States or its territories. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (08:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Not Authorized Telework: Authorized (Ad-Hoc) 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

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.

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.