"Alerted.org

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 Responsibilities The Primary Care/PACT-Pain clinician delivers evidence-based comprehensive management through direct patient care and as part of the interdisciplinary PACT/Primary Care team providing care of acute and all chronic medical problems and Pain Management. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: designing, implementing, assessing, monitoring and documenting therapeutic plans utilizing the most effective treatments; helping achieve positive patient centric outcomes (e.g. establishing and progressing towards individualized function-related goals, improving quality of life, minimizing theoretical risk of drug-related harm) through direct and indirect interactions with patients, sub-specialities, and interdisciplinary team in Primary Care; performing physical examinations; implementing risk mitigation strategies and ordering laboratory and other tests to help determine efficacy and toxicity of medication therapy. The PACT clinician manages initiating, medication therapy by modifying and discontinuing medication both independently and in collaboration with other practitioners when needed (e.g., buprenorphine prescribing for Opioid Use Disorder, controlled substances). FUNCTIONS: Clinical - Direct Patient Care Activities: Maintains and promotes high ethical, clinical, and administrative standards that are carried into the decision-making process. Provides patient care which is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. Incumbent must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Functions as a physician for Primary Care services to achieve defined outcomes through direct interactions with patients and other clinicians within PACT/Primary Care team at the Kernersville HCC location, which may include, but are not limited to: Provides primary care services as specified in his/her clinical privileges. Services include new patient evaluations and ongoing monitoring through follow up visits. Procedures such as joint injections, battlefield acupuncture are preferred but not required. Prescribes, monitors, and adjusts medications related to chronic disease state and pain management Clinical - Indirect Patient Care Activities Reviews patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate recommendations for alternatives to current treatment plans as needed. Provides input and recommendations as the pain expert on the interdisciplinary pain management team during routine patient care planning. Documents clinical interventions and patient care encounters in the electronic health record in a timely and professional manner as appropriate. Works with team members to ensure compliance with national, VISN, and local initiatives (e.g., OSI) Participates effectively in team meetings and treatment planning conferences and collaborates with multidisciplinary team members in a manner that enhances coordination of comprehensive patient care. Provide recommendations and work with the interdisciplinary team to coordinate care to provide optimal functioning, level of pain, and quality of life for Veterans. Be accessible and available to personnel in the PACT team for consultation on complex cases. Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements. Ability to lead Process/Performance Improvement (PI), and quality assurance initiatives for primary care and pain related care delivery. Research: (when applicable) Participates in design and/or completion of research studies and/or quality improvement projects involving drug therapy, clinical pharmacy functions, or improvements in patient care. Directs and/or participates in the preparation of articles for publication. Program Management and Administration: Participates and facilitates departmental and organizational compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC), Office of General Counsel (OIG), and other applicable regulatory and accreditation regulations and guidelines regarding patient safety and care. Supports efforts to improve performance metrics specific to pain management. Maintains effective interdepartmental relationships by committee membership, barrier resolution, active problem resolution skills, and close cooperation with other services in accomplishing the medical center mission and goals. Collaborates with the Salisbury VA Facility Pain Management Coordinator (PMOP), Pain consultant (POC), Facility Pain Champions to maintain best pain practices Participates in various hospital committees, department and hospital in-service programs and acquire CMEs as required. Requirements Conditions of Employment NOTE: Prior to accepting a final employment offer, all selected applicants will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding regarding deployment responsibilities You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. 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. 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination and maintain CDT physical readiness. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Must be able to meet physical demands which include strenuous physical activity to include carrying persons and equipment, walking long distances over difficult terrain, running, climbing, working long hours in austere or arduous conditions, long periods of standing, and bending and stooping. Qualifications 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: Completed ACGME accredited residency in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine Preferred Experience: Candidates for the PACT/Primary Care and Pain Management PACT should possess the skills outlined below with specific experience in the area of primary care. Candidates should have recent experience in a current or previous job (including residency training) that includes direct patient care and comprehensive management responsibilities. Have a valid DEA license with X-waiver. Reference: See VA Handbook, Part II, Appendix G 2.For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Must be able to physically and mentally perform the duties of Physician under normal and emergent conditions. Moderate lifting 15-44 lbs and over with assistive devices, heavy carrying of 15-44 lbs and over with assistive devices; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, both hands required, walking or standing up to 4 hours per day; repeated bending up to 1-2 hours per day; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination; near vision correctable; hearing aid permitted. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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, or Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association for the year in which the degree was granted. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, facility officials must verify with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) that the applicant has met requirements for certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. [If the applicant does not claim an ECFMG certificate, facility officials must still confirm that the medical school meets (or met) ECFMG eligibility requirements for the year the candidate 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. Additional Information The PACT clinician will follow patients in direct care setting to achieve therapeutic goal and make referrals as needed to optimize patient outcomes and treatment success. The PACT clinician refers to the appropriate level of care for patients when needed and is responsible for providing and documenting care of assigned patients. The PACT clinician has knowledge of VA/DOD clinical practice guidelines, The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, Veterans Affairs (VA) performance measures, and will integrate these standards into practice. The Pain PACT clinician may participate as a subject matter expert on pain-related committees at the local facility level (e.g., Pain Committee) and as permitted at national and VISN levels. The PACT clinician should assist with quality improvement projects related to pain. Indirect patient care activities include participating in quality assurance and improvement projects, supporting research, staff education and consultation. The PACT clinician will perform their duties within PACT/Primary Care clinics at the Kernersville VA Health care center with appropriate resources and physical space (i.e., treatment room) for the direct care of their patients. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VHA Physician Total Rewards Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP), which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements, loan repayments, sign-on bonus contracts, Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years). For additional information and eligibility requirements, contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at [email protected]. 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 (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.