Summary

A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized to a highly qualified candidate. The Primary Care Physician serves as a practicing physician who is responsible for the overall management of patients enrolled for healthcare services provided by the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. Responsible for administrative tasks associated with clinic operations - provides leadership and direction to support staff assigned to their PACT (Patient Aligned Care Team).

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 allopathic 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 accrediting bodies for graduate medical education - the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - in the list published for the year the residency - or fellowship if applicable - was completed
• OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship - first year of residency - or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States
• OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - 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
• Exceptions: 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 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
• In rare and unusual circumstances - the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer - who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience - accomplishments - performance - and qualifications warrant such action
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Previous experience as a Primary Care physician providing direct patient care
• Board Eligibility or Board Certification by the American Board of Internal Medicine or Family Medicine is preferred
• Prior VA experience is a plus
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• This announcement is open until filled
• Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis
• Eligible applicants will be referred each week for consideration until the positions are filled
• For additional information - please contact Heathre VariRiper at (989) 497-2500
• Battle Creek - MI - known as \"Cereal City -\" is located in Calhoun County off I-94 - midway between Chicago and Detroit
• The city has a rich history and promising future in food brands - research - and training - being home to Kellogg Company's world headquarters and other significant corporations like Post Cereals - Ralcorp - and Duncan Aviation
• The city is revitalizing its downtown for food science and innovation industries
• Battle Creek's Air National Guard Base - commercial airport - and industrial park are diversifying the economy and attracting global businesses in military - aviation - aerospace - and alternative energy sectors
• The city combines the serenity of country living with urban amenities - boasting numerous parks connected to Battle Creek and Kalamazoo rivers - offering outdoor activities like hiking - fishing - and canoeing
• Various community festivals enhance the cultural and recreational offerings
• Moreover - Battle Creek offers affordable living with a cost of living significantly lower than the national average
• It has 26 neighborhoods with diverse housing options - a linear park with 26 miles of trails - and a variety of dining and shopping venues
• With homes selling quickly and options for different budgets - the city is ideal for starting a career - raising a family - or retiring - thanks to its strong community and natural beauty
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Krystee.Draper@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 PRIMARY CARE PHYSICAN: The Primary Care Physician (PCP) is the leader of a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) (physician - RN - LPN - and clerical associate) which provides direct care for Veterans enrolled in Primary Care at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center or at one of its 4 VA Clinics
• SCOPE OF PRACTICE: The PCP is assigned responsibility for a panel of patients at a specific location
• However - the physician may be asked on some occasions to assist in patient care or administrative duties at the main hospital or at another site
• The PCP: Provides clinical examination - diagnosis - and treatment of acute and chronic diseases - preventive care - and coordination of care for a panel of primary care patients
• Appropriate documentation of patient care in clinical records is expected
• Refers to specialists when additional input and treatment outside of the scope of the physician's experience and training is required
• Is responsible for monitoring PACT teamlet performance to assess adherence to VA standards - assure quality and effectiveness of care - and meet VA performance measures
• Outstanding customer service is expected
• Leads the team in assisting the patient advocate and administration in resolving patient concerns and inquiries
• The PCP reports to the Associate Chief of Staff for Medical Services - who in turn is under the direct supervision of the Chief of Staff
• Every effort is made to ensure the physician is professionally competent and capable of handling the duties and responsibilities assigned
• Therefore - supervision of the physician is normally limited to administrative matters with minimal technical supervision required
• The physician is directed by local and national VA policy
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm
• Hours may be extended based on the needs of the Medical Center and our Veterans.