Physician - Section Chief Cardiology

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.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

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: Board Certification is required.

Board Certification: Physicians are generally not required to be board certified for employment in VA; however, three circumstances in VA require physician board certification:
(1) If the position being filled is required to be a supervisor for medical students or physician residents (including fellows), the LCME, ACGME or AOA standards requiring a particular board certification credential will apply.
(2) If the position being filled will have faculty status with an affiliated medical school (for example, in joint recruitments with affiliated medical schools), then a medical school requirement for board certification will apply to the jointly recruited position.
(3) If the position being filled is required to be board certified by virtue of specific VHA policy (for example, as director of a cardiac catheterization laboratory or Director of Clinical Laboratory Medicine), then VHA policy requiring board certification will apply.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Applicants must meet physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required. This is a designated drug testing position. After appointment, you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Requires lifting 15-44 pounds; pushing (approx. 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers and both hands; walking and standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Hearing aid is permitted.

Responsibilities:

The incumbent serves as Chief, Cardiology Section, with full responsibility for clinical, administrative, and programmatic oversight of cardiology services. The position is accountable for the planning, development, coordination, and evaluation of a comprehensive cardiology program.

The Chief functions with a high degree of autonomy and independent judgment, providing expert clinical leadership and consultation beyond the immediate service line, consistent with senior physician leadership roles under VA Handbook 5005.

Duties included, but are not limited to:

Clinical Responsibilities

• Provides direct patient care in cardiology, including inpatient and/or outpatient services, consistent with clinical privileges.
• Ensures delivery of high-quality, evidence-based cardiovascular care.
• Manages complex and high-risk patients requiring advanced clinical judgment
• Maintains clinical competence and supports best practices across the section

Administrative and Supervisory Responsibilities

• Exercises full supervisory authority over assigned cardiology staff, including physicians, advanced practice providers, and administrative personnel.
• Responsibilities include:
  • Recruitment and selection
  • Performance management (FPPE/OPPE)
  • Workload distribution and productivity oversight
  • Disciplinary actions in accordance with VA policy
• Develops and manages clinical schedules, staffing models, and resource allocation

Program Management and Development

• Directs the planning, implementation, and evaluation of cardiology programs and services.
• Establishes policies, procedures, and clinical protocols.
• Develops strategic initiatives to improve access, efficiency, and quality of care.
• Ensures optimal utilization of resources, including personnel, equipment, and space.

Quality Management and Performance Improvement

• Leads quality assurance and performance improvement activities within cardiology
• Monitors and evaluates clinical outcomes and operational metrics
• Ensures compliance with:
  • The Joint Commission standards
  • VHA directives and handbooks
  • Applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements
• Participates in peer review, risk management, and patient safety programs

Consultation and Collaboration

• Provides expert consultation to providers within and outside the service line
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary services to coordinate patient care
• Serves on facility and/or VISN committees and represents cardiology in leadership forums

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Salary : $1,000