Summary

The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston - Texas is seeking dedicated - compassionate - and highly skilled Staff Physician to join our Rheumatology Service. The ideal candidate has strong clinical skills in managing complex patients - thrives in an interdisciplinary environment - and is committed to delivering high-quality - Veteran-centered care.

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
• Preferred Experience: Clinical experience in rheumatology is desired - but not compulsory
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting (15-44 pounds) Light Lifting (under 15 pounds) Light Carrying (under 15 pounds) Use of fingers Walking (2 hours) Standing (2 hours) Both legs required Both eyes required Depth Perception Ability to distinguish basic colors Environmental Factors: Outside and Inside

Duties

• The Michael E
• DeBakey VA Medical Center serves as the primary health care provider for more than 151 -000 Veterans in southeast Texas
• Houston exudes a cosmopolitan and down-home vibe together that lets the residents of the country's fourth-largest city and third-largest county (Harris) know that there's no place quite like Houston
• The city attracts visitors and transplants with a wonderful mix of world class arts - booming business - pro sports and award-winning cuisine
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• 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 Some of the Rheumatology duties include but not limited to: Provide high-quality diagnosing and treating autoimmune rheumatic conditions Diagnose and effectively manage rheumatic conditions using various evidence-based advanced treatment options Prescribe Veterans with appropriate medication for treatment - health regimens and lifestyle adjustments Rheumatology inpatient and outpatient consults Electronic chart reviews Outpatient clinics Telehealth clinics Trainee education Research (optional) Treats autoimmune rheumatic conditions - including but not limited to - rheumatoid arthritis - spondyloarthropathies - vasculitides - systemic lupus - crystalline arthropathies - polymyalgia rheumatica - Sjogren;'s - inflammatory muscle disease Willing to treat other musculoskeletal conditions like fibromyalgia - osteoporosis - osteoarthritis Studies signs and symptoms of rheumatic disease and evaluates it's effect on their system Designs customized and individualized treatments - depending on a patient's disease Orders and interprets diagnostic results effectively Uses technologies and tools like radiographs - MRIs - and ultrasound Maintain historical records by documenting symptoms - medications - and treatment events and writing summaries
• Keep abreast of advancements in their specialization as Rheumatologist and best practices by attending seminars and conferences Sign off on PA and Nurse Practitioner notes as well as review lab results and imaging studies during downtime (non-patient care periods during the clinical shift) Use universal precautions - HIPAA - and OSHA concepts and requirements Complete all medical record documentation within guidelines and appropriate deadlines Participate in medical duties related to quality of care - peer review - and section/service meetings Work Schedule: Will be discussed during the interview process