Physician - Sleep Section Chief for Clinical Resource Hub (CRH)

at  US Veterans Health Administration

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 Certified or Board Eligible in Sleep Medicine.
• Completed an accredited Sleep Medicine fellowship.
• Possess one (1) year of supervisory or program leadership experience.

Preferred Experience:

• Possess two (2) years of supervisory experience as a licensed Physician.
• Possess one (1) year of telehealth experience.
• Possess one (1) year of experience reading home sleep studies (HSAT) and in lab sleep studies (PSG).
• Possess one (1) year of experience working for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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: 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.

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

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
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.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Financial Disclosure Report:Not required
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

• Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

DUTIES

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.
Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more.
EDRP Authorized: Contact V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday (No Call, No Weekends)
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
The Veterans Integrated System Network (VISN) Clinical Resource Hub (CRH) Sleep Section Chief is a VISN based leadership position located in VISN 21. The VISN 21 CRH Sleep Section Chief is under the general supervision of the VISN 21 CRH Specialty Service Chief. This position is responsible for leading and managing the operations of the VISN level CRH Sleep Service. They will ensure that CRH sleep services are delivered to the sites of greatest need across VISN 21. CRH services include direct clinical support to underserved facilities within the VISN, Telehealth Emergency Management (TEM) sites, non-VA sites of care, and Clinical Contact Centers. Additional requirements of the VISN 21 CRH program include the offering of graduate medical training opportunities when possible.
The VISN 21 CRH Sleep Section Chief will ensure CRH Sleep services are completed at the highest standard and in alignment with national CRH standards. The VISN 21 CRH Sleep Section Chief will coordinate with various facilities and VISN offices and ensure that regulatory and quality standards are implemented across the VISN. The individual will ensure that CRH Sleep services are utilized appropriately and follow specific CRH and telehealth, and other pertinent program office policies and procedures. They are required to exercise a high level of organizational skill, independent judgment, problem-solving ability, and content expertise in program development and implementation. The position requires the ability to communicate effectively with field staff and VISN, CRH, and facility leadership on a variety of clinical and administrative strategic priorities. The position requires travel for purposes including, but not limited to: VISN and facility leadership training, implementation of CRH services at CRH Spoke sites and other needs as appropriate.
The major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Program Leadership/Administrative

• Will assist the CRH Specialty Service Chief with responsibilities as assigned for developing, organizing, and directing the VISN CRH Sleep program and CRH Sleep staff, with an emphasis on delivering services to the most underserved facilities.
• Partner with CRH quality, analytics, and nursing colleagues to address provider-related quality, safety, and Veteran experience opportunities.
• Ensures efficient operations of the VISN CRH Sleep service are met and utilizes resources to ensure these operations meet the mission and goals of the VISN and national CRH program, as well as Veterans Health Administration (VHA) standards
• Coordinates with various facility and VISN leaders and utilizes regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement appropriate plans, policies, and procedures that define operational requirements and support the VISN CRH Sleep program.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Reviewing incoming consults to determine whether patients would benefit from care through the CRH program. Provide electronic consultation to health care professionals and other sleep specialists as appropriate.
• Conducting visits and providing care through telehealth (video visits to home, video visits between facilities, and asynchronous care across facilities)
• Providing care to Veterans, which includes coordination of care. Coordination of care will be needed with the patient’s home facility and within the CRH.
• Determine when appropriate physiological, behavioral, and psychological interventions are necessary to treat the comprehensive range of sleep disorders and related health conditions.