Physician (Community Living Center w/Recruitment-Relocation Incentive/EDRP)

Summary

The West Texas VA Health Care System, Big Spring, TX is seeking a full-time Physician (Community Living Center) to provide direct patient care in performing clinical functions independently and identifies functions requiring with collaboration with the CLC Medical Director and interdisciplinary teams. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized to a highly qualified candidate. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

Duties

• Note: This position may also be filled by a Nurse Practitioner at https://www.usajobs.gov/job/886645500/preview The CLC Physician independently performs the following, within the bounds of their credentialing and privileges: Conducts history and physical examinations for assigned residents on admission and periodically as required by regulation. Performs medical rounds and clinic assessments in accordance with regulatory and facility timelines. Diagnoses and manages acute and chronic medical conditions for assigned residents. Orders and interprets diagnositic studies (laboratory, imagining, and other testing) relevant to resident care. Prescribes, adjusts, and discontinues medication within relevant scope, formulary, and regulatory requirements. Responds to changes in resident condition, including telephonic or in-person evaluation, and directors appropriate management. Documents all clinical encounters, assessments, and decision-making in the medical record in a timely manner. Completes required certifications and recertifications of level of care, as applicable. Communicates with residents and, as appropriate and authorized family members or designated decision makers regarding diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Participates in advance care planning discussions, including goals of care and end-of-life care preferences. Provides order for end-of life- and palliative care in accordance with resident wishes and facility policy. Collaborative Functions: The CLC Physician performs the following in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, nursing leadership, or other practitioners. Collaborates with Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants managing shared patients, consistent with facility policy governing non-physician practitioners. Coordinates with consulting specialists involved in resident care. Facility budget authority for medical services. Final decision-making authority on facility-wide resource allocation affecting medical care. Orders and interprets labs, tests, and diagnostic studies. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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 evaluation/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.