Cardiologist - Electrophysiologist

Cardiologist – Electrophysiologist Physician Opportunity – Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System

**Eligible for $200,000 in student loan repayment and hiring incentive**

Description:  The Division of Cardiology offers a comprehensive spectrum of cardiology subspecialty services. Having the only Cardiac Catheterization laboratory in the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 4, VAPHS ranks among the highest volume of VA Cardiac Catheterization labs nationwide, performing nearly 1400 diagnostic catheterizations and ~450 interventions (including complex percutaneous coronary interventions), yearly. VAPHS has an active Chronic Total Occlusion program, a Shock Team, a Cardiac Surgery Service, and are currently constructing a state-of-the art hybrid operating room for structural heart disease interventions. The Electrophysiology Section (EP), also the only EP provider in our VISN, provides full EP services (~500 devices and ~100 ablations annually). The Echocardiography Laboratory provides transthoracic, transesophageal, and stress echo services (~6700 studies per year), and we perform ~1800 nuclear stress tests annually. VAPHS has an active cardiology outpatient clinic, including ~5000 clinic encounters and 4000 E-consults yearly at the Pittsburgh site, and are expanding outreach clinics in counties outside of Pittsburgh. This year, in response to the pandemic, and we have significantly grown our Virtual/Telemedicine Clinic.

Practice Highlights: The VAPHS Cardiology Division is strongly committed to the academic mission and the mentoring of physician-scientists and next-generation scientific leaders and as such this position may be offered an academic position at the University of Pittsburgh through separate negotiations.

The clinical program is additionally nourished by close interaction with the Heart and Vascular Institute at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), where some VA faculty also practice, and by UPMC cardiology fellows who rotate at the VA Hospital as part of their ACGME-accredited fellowship training, and is strongly committed to the academic mission and the mentoring of physician-scientists and next-generation scientific leaders.

This is an exciting career opportunity to work in a dynamic academic Division in one of the VA Hospital System's largest referral centers for cardiovascular medicine.

Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide direct patient care at Pittsburgh VA Medical Center;
• Invasive electrophysiology procedures including cardiac device implantation, catheter ablation of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias, and left atrial appendage occlusion;
• Participate in a robust clinical program in consultative, diagnostic, and non-invasive therapeutic aspects of cardiac electrophysiology in outpatient and inpatient settings;
• Participate in supervision of the APRN electrophysiology providers;
• Participate in management and supervision of the implanted cardiac rhythm device program and clinic, including CIED remote monitoring;
• Provide telemedicine services and consultation to other facilities, as required;
• Participate in Process Improvement/Quality Assurance and other administrative duties as assigned;
• Interpretation of ECGs and Ambulatory Monitors;
• Other duties as assigned by the Chief, Cardiology Section.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm; Weekend, evening and holiday calls may be expected.

Requirements:

• Board certified in Cardiology
• Board eligible/certified in Electrophysiology
• Fellowship Trained in General Cardiology and Electrophysiology at ACGME accredited program

Benefits Highlights:

• Student loan repayment up to $200,000 on eligible loans
• Regular salary increases and annual performance bonuses
• 50-55 days of paid time off (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 Federal holidays, up to 5 days for CME)
• Three-tiered Federal retirement program (vested after 5 years) with VA contributing 16.6% to FERS and up to 5% matching for the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) (401k)
• Federal health/dental/vision/long-term care insurance offered
• Malpractice insurance with tail coverage provided
• No physician employment contracts and no significant restrictions on moonlighting

Paid Time Off:

• 26 Days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave
• 13 Days paid sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation
• 11 Federal holidays with pay annually
• 5 Days paid absence to attend approved CME courses

Insurance:

• Health Insurance: VA employees have an outstanding number of health insurance plans from which to choose (premiums are partially paid by VA) Lifetime Healthcare Insurance options available
• Dental & Vision: Our insurance options also include exceptional vision and dental plans (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• VA employees have the option to use Flexible Spending Accounts, which allow you to use tax-free dollars to pay for medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance plan
• Term life insurance, family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government
• Long-term care insurance is available as an option

Federal Retirement Plan:

• VA employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits, 2) FERS-RAE basic benefits (pension), and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan
• How is the pension funded? VA employees automatically contribute 4.4% of their salary each pay period and the VA contributes 12.2% of the employee’s salary each pay period for a total annual contribution percentage equal to 16.6% of the employee’s salary
• Similar to the 401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector, the TSP allows employees to tax defer a portion of their income each year, subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. For calendar year 2025, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $23,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $31,000.
• The Federal Government also provides an automatic basic contribution (1% of salary) and up to 4% of salary in matching contributions, depending on the amount of the employee contribution
• For retired military personnel, these benefits are in addition to full monthly retirement pay or pension
• In addition to FERS, VA provides health care insurance coverage for retired personnel
• Disability Retirement
• Employees are vested in a federal pension after only 5 years service

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System is an integrated healthcare system that proudly serves the Veteran population throughout the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. It is our mission to care for America’s Veterans and provide them with excellent health care.

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System consists of three divisions: a major medical and surgical tertiary care facility, a behavioral health facility, and a community living center and a Veterans recovery center, all complemented by five community based outpatient clinics.

The city of Pittsburgh has been repeatedly ranked as the most livable US city by such publications as The Economist, Places Rated Almanac, and Forbes Magazine. The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System offers a unique opportunity to practice in a leading US medical community within an affordable and thriving city.