This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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. Preferred Experience: Board Certification desired, Board Eligible considered. 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: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (4-8hrs); Standing (4-8hrs); Both legs required; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental and emotional stability ["This is an open continuous announcement, applicants will be reviewed in the order that they are received. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Contact visn15edrp@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm 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 VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Duties: The Plastic Surgeon must perform history and physical examinations, diagnose, prepare treatment plans and manage patients with reconstructive disorders involving the skin, tendons, nerves and bones of the hands, the skin and bones of the face and the skin, muscles and soft tissue of the trunk and extremities. Major duties include but are not limited to: Trunk: Breast reconstruction using implants or autologous flaps; breast reduction; liposuction for fat graft harvest; correction of soft tissue contour defects and following massive weight loss secondary to bariatric surgery; direct skin excision for treatment of chronic panniculitis following massive weight loss secondary to bariatric surgery; closure of wounds of the buttocks, ischium and greater trochanter using skin, muscle and/or skin - muscle flaps. Grafts: Direct harvest of fat, skin, muscle, tendon, nerve and bone grafts. Admit to inpatient care, including consultation, and management of inpatients. Excision of skin cancers of the face, ears, nose, eyelids, and hands with reconstruction. Hand: Repair of tendons, nerves, vessels, and bone of the hand; carpal tunnel release; cubital tunnel release; first carpometacarpal arthroplasty; correction of Dupuytren's contracture. Administrative: Writes Medical Orders and prescriptions for controlled and non-controlled substances, as necessary, for the care of the patient in accordance with Federal and State law. Documents care provided in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) in accordance with North Texas Veterans Health Care System requirements. Documents the initial history and physical examination required for evaluation in the electronic tool(s) required by VA. Obtains consent and documents procedures performed for which the Plastic Surgeon is responsible. Provides education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs. Review and revise policies and scope of practice/standards of operation to meet the needs of the National VA and North Texas Veterans Health Care System mandates. Clinical Responds to and completes consults received for the evaluation of Plastic Surgery including: Performs an appropriate history and physical examination in compliance with national guidelines. Orders diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests, X-rays, electromyography (EMG), electrocardiograms (EKGs) and other tests. Consults other disciplines, as necessary, to complete the patient evaluation. Carries out health promotion and disease prevention activities including education and shared decision-making. Surgical competence in Plastic Surgery procedures is required and documentation of procedures within the past 12 months will be requested reflective of the scope of privileges requested. - Participate in VISN and national level efforts in Plastic Surgery programs."]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.