This position is located in the Thoracic Surgery Section at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center, and supports the mission to care for our Veterans with compassion and excellence. The Thoracic surgeon is charged with providing a broad range of surgical interventions. This care must be delivered in accordance with policy and meet community standards, this pertains to outpatients and inpatients. Each Thoracic surgeon functions as a collegial team member with the entire staff. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. Additional Requirement: American Heart Association BLS BC/BE in Thoracic Surgery 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: Candidates must successfully complete a pre-employment physical. Position requires walking, standing, reading typewritten material without strain, ability to hear conversational voice, emotional and mental stability, and working closely with others. Incumbent may be exposed to blood and body fluids. Must be able to physically respond when needed by prompt appearance at required location. Physical activity includes sitting, standing (up to 4 hours), walking (up to 2 hours), bending and reaching. ["The incumbent follows established guidelines, ethics, and policies and protocols of the Department of Surgical Services, Department of VHA, and the profession. Duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: The Thoracic surgeon participates in and/or manages all aspects of a general Thoracic surgery program to include clinical, administrative, and academic components Attend and participate in outpatient clinics and take an active role in the evaluation of the patient, decision for treatment/care, and complete timely documentation in the patient electronic records The Thoracic surgeon will perform surgery and provide preop and post-op care as indicated for major and minor procedures, as well as Thoracic surgery consultation for inpatients and outpatients The Thoracic surgeon participates in and/or manages a broad range of Thoracic surgery practice. This encompasses all areas of general Thoracic surgery including reconstructive services The Thoracic surgeon participates in a shared rotation of night and weekend oncall coverage Evaluate and treat Thoracic surgery emergencies in the emergency department, inpatient wards, ICU and operating room Maintain professional competency, courtesy and flexibility and provide the necessary services of this specialty Collaborative patient management along with the other departments and sections of the hospitals including, but not limited to, laboratory, medicine, radiology and the auxiliary services Attend meetings required by the Organization and Surgery Service in particular Participates in the teaching programs of the Academic Affiliate. Provide educational opportunities for students and residents in the training in medicine and surgery. Provide training and/or direction as applicable to supporting employees (e.g. RNs, LNs, technicians, administrative support staff) assigned to the unit during the performance of duties. Such direction and interaction will adhere to government and professional clinical standards and accepted clinical protocol The Thoracic surgeon is expected to maintain current knowledge and skills. She or he must be responsible for management of diagnostic, preventive, and/or therapeutic interventions, both surgical and nonsurgical throughout the full spectrum of Thoracic surgery. She or he is expected to maintain good diagnostic, judgmental, and therapeutic acumen All VA requirements must be met on a timely basis VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment(Sign-on Bonus) & Relocation Incentive: May be available to highly qualified applicants. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of annual paid time offer 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 Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting EDRP: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan reimbursement program. To participate in the program, you must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA Policy 1021 and submit your application within four months of appointment. The final award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office. The EDRP Coordinator can be reached at VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8am - 4:30pm ; Rotation of night and weekend on call coverage"]
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.
