Primary Care Practice Opportunity

The Department of Veterans Affairs is searching for BE/BC Family Medicine/Internal Medicine trained Physicians to join their dynamic healthcare team as an Outpatient Primary Care Physician.

Positions are located in Montgomery, AL, Tuskegee, AL, Fort Rucker, AL, Tuscaloosa, AL.

The Primary Care physician works as a member of a multi-disciplinary health care team, collaborating with other members of the team to provide medical care to veterans enrolled on the team.

The physician is expected to demonstrate advanced competencies and skills in assessing the physical and psychosocial status of patients and family members, plan and active role in the multidisciplinary health care team, promote preventive health measures, manage the acute and chronic conditions of his/her assigned panel of patients and those patients assigned to other team members when circumstances require.

The physician provides comprehensive assessment, diagnostic work-up and clinic intervention, including comprehensive patient assessment, health history, physical examination, and patient education to veterans in the Primary Care Team setting; outpatients include both rescheduled and unscheduled veterans. Functions as an integral part of a Primary Care multi-disciplinary team to coordinate, facilitate, and provide patient care and services; Discriminate between normal and abnormal findings to establish a diagnosis and initiate appropriate response to emergency health problems.

Physician initiates appropriate referrals and consultation to other clinical services. Order and evaluate diagnostic tests as appropriate, recommend treatment and/or referral. Establish and coordinate a plan of care related to patients identified problems. Validate the effectiveness of previously implemented medical treatment. Initiate, evaluate, and change orders for medications. Include patient and family in planning care and establishing realistic measurable goals for health maintenance/improvement.

Record/document health appraisal information, clinical assessments, treatment decisions, plan of care, ongoing management and therapeutic outcomes, order medications, diagnostic tests, and referral consultations where needed for every patient encounter; recording will be accomplished using the electronic comprehensive patient record system (CPRS), and will be completed on the day of the encounter.

Physician responds to computerized "Alerts" indicating diagnostic test abnormalities and to Health line requests from veterans/family members on the day of receipt (weekends excepted); Follow Performance Measure guidelines including completion of clinical reminders in CPRS; access and timeliness standards; prescription order entry, National VA Formula requirements, and Customer Services standards.

Work efficiently with patients, families, members of the multi-disciplinary team, and other staff. Demonstrates flexibility in responding to clinic demands, adhere to personal and professional obligations and responsible, practice and ethical standards.Sustain a work environment that is harmonious and customer service oriented.

Physician assumes MOC duties as determined by monthly call schedule. The Primary Care Physician shall participate in the continuous quality improvement program. The Primary Care Physician is expected to be familiar with and comply with all national standards utilized at this medical treatment facility, including VA Performance Measures and Monitors, Joint Commission, and NCQA standards.

Work hours: 8am-4:30pm Monday-Friday

Salary Range: Up to $225,000 per year

Applicant selected for this position may be eligible to apply for an award under the provision of the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) based on the availability of funds.

Recruitment/Relocation and or PCS expenses may be authorized

Qualifications Required:

• U.S. citizenship
• English language proficiency
• Physical standards - All applicants must meet the physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to employment may be required.
• Licensure and Registration – Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or in the District of Columbia. The Physician must maintain a current registration to continue employment with the VA
• Educational requirements - 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 Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed.

Approved schools are:

• Schools of medicine holding regular institutional membership in the Association of American Medical Colleges for the year in which the degree was granted.
• Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the American Osteopathic Association for the year in which the degree was granted.
• Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e. Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia as qualifying for full or unrestricted licensure.
• For residents, graduation from an approved medical school as described above is required.

BENEFITS:

Working for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. In addition to traditional "dollars and cents" benefits, we offer a range of benefits to help balance work and life. For more information please visit us at: http://www.va.gov/jobs/job_benefits/benefits.asp