Geriatric Medicine Job at Veterans Health Administration in District of Columbia

The Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) in Washington DC, where serving our “Nations Heroes” is our number one priority, is seeking a full-time board-certified or board-eligible Medical Director for our Home-Based Primary Care Program. This is a unique-extended service of Geriatrics, providing high-quality and comprehensive, interdisciplinary, primary care for veterans with complex medical, social, and behavioral conditions for whom routine clinic-based care is not effective (homebound). In addition to primary care, HBPC uses a multi-discipline team of healthcare professionals who work together to create distinct plan of care specific to each veteran. The HBPC program is also designed for veterans who are isolated, or their caregivers are experiencing burden.

The Washington DC VA Medical Center is located in the heart of Washington DC, the nation’s capital, home to the seat of government and has fantastic cultural offerings, such as the Smithsonian Institution, the Kennedy Center, and a host of fantastic restaurants. In addition, multiple world-class universities are located in and around DC, including the George Washington University, Georgetown University, American University, the University of Maryland, and George Mason University. The suburbs around Washington DC also offer similar amenities and some of the best school systems in the nation, which makes the Washington DC Metro area a great place to live.

Job Duties:

The Home-Based Primary Care physician is responsible for all aspects of geriatric primary care within the defined section, and supervision of staff. In conjunction with the Chief of GEC, this physician is responsible for:

• Planning, organizing, developing, implementing, controlling, and refining comprehensive patient management and clinical support within HBPC.
• Provides services, technical counsel, and leadership guidance necessary to meet the care and treatment needs of patients within HBPC.
• Should be a forward-thinking provider who embraces Veteran-centered geriatrics, palliative, and hospice care delivery.
• Analyzed data for quality improvement and assurance.
• Maintain records of meetings that include reports of conclusions, data recommendations, responsible person, actions taken and an evaluation of the effectiveness of actions taken as appropriate.
• Assists in the development of policies and procedures to assure effective management, ethics, safety, communication, and quality within the section and between HBPC and other services within and outside of GEC.
• Review at least annually privilege templates and make recommendations to the Chief as needed for modifications for staff supervision.
• A comprehensive skill set of clinical judgment and adequate administrative capabilities are required to meet the needs of diverse patient populations, as well as diverse members of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and staff.
• Maintaining personal skills in HBPC functions to coordinate Veteran care with other VA consultants and non-VA entities.

Clinical Duties:

• Provides a full range of services, including assessment and using standard of care techniques in providing quality of care within the specialties of geriatric primary care, and basic palliative medicine practice.
• Perform appropriate evaluations, diagnosis, and treatment of patients within HBPC.
• Participates effectively in team meetings and treatment planning conferences and collaborates with IDT members in a manner that enhances coordination of comprehensive Veteran-centered care.
• Cross Coverage and take calls (remote overnight) for GEC programs to include, CLC, GeriPACT, Inpatient/Outpatient Palliative programs as needed
• Orders diagnostic tests and discriminates between normal/abnormal findings and makes appropriate treatment decisions based on available information.
• Responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system, as appropriate.
• Ensures that the practice of medicine is consistent with relevant accreditation agencies, VA policies and procedures, clinical practice guidelines, VISN 5 standards, national statutes and regulations, medical record documentation, mandatory continuing education, and licensure, and HIPPA policies.
• Performs other tasks within the scope of approved practice and privilege, as assigned by the Chief of GEC and the DC VAMC Medical System.

The HBPC physician is responsible to the Chief of GEC, or designated supervisor.

Benefits:
Pay: Competitive salary, 230K -240K annually, annual performance bonus up to 15K, 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
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm 

Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.  

"Whole Health is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and well-being. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care".