Chief of Gastroenterology

Duties

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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 Chief, Gastroenterology Section works within her or his privileges at all times. The Gastroenterologist is expected to maintain current knowledge and skills. She or he must be able to deliver interventions throughout the full spectrum of gastroenterology care, i.e., she or he is expected to maintain good diagnostic and therapeutic acumen.

• Primary duties are to perform full general gastrointestinal examinations on established or newly consulted patients, including electronic consultations (eConsults) in the Gastroenterology clinics, inpatient wards or Emergency Department for signs or symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction.
• The Gastroenterologist will ensure communication with the hospitalists regarding inpatients and/or potential admissions.
• The Gastroenterologist oversees the administration of moderate sedation.
• The Gastroenterologist performs gastroenterology procedures including EGD (gastroscopy), ParacentesisEGD with Peg Esophageal manometryERCP Liver biopsyColonoscopy 24 hr pH monitor
• Responsibilities will include performing Compensation and Pension exams and/or reviews, participation in quality assurance programs and chart reviews, and completing medical records by Medical Staff Bylaws, Rules, and Regulations.
• The Chief Gastroenterology Section exercises corporate citizenship by serving as a leader and/or active member on Medical Center committees as requested and attending Medical Service Staff meetings and meetings of the Medical/Dental staff.
• Teaches effectively and creatively and provides guidance to others involved in the delivery of the educational program.
• The Chief Gastroenterology Section provides expanded access to services via normal tour or on-call periods.

Administrative Duties:

• Participates in quality assurance programs and chart reviews, Peer Reviews, Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE), and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE) for gastroenterology staff.
• Ensures communication with the hospitalists, other services, and other facilities.
• Resolves all patient and employee complaints related to the Gastroenterology Section.
• Provides leadership to the gastroenterology team and supervises all mid-level providers, neurologists, and neurodiagnostic technicians.
• Chairs gastroenterology staff meetings.
• Maintains Basic Life Support Certification and completes all mandatory training, including Human Resource training sessions for supervisors.
• Initiates/implements and reviews/updates all gastroenterology policies and procedures as appropriate
• Assist with recruitment and orientation of gastroenterology staff
• Works collaboratively with the nurse manager to initiate/effect changes or improve services.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and promotes performance improvement in meeting organizational goals.

Supervision:

• Practices independently, using professional judgment and expertise to decide on services and treatment provided to veterans and their significant others/family members.
• Incumbent is given authority to make his/her work assignments within the program area to which assigned.
• Consults with the supervisor as needed and with colleagues to develop knowledge and apply agency policies and practices to new matters.
• His/her work is reviewed for technical adequacy and conformance with procedures and practices applicable to the subject.
• Uses initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from traditional methods or trends and patterns to develop new methods, criteria, and proposed new policies.
• Practices at an advanced level and independently gathers relevant information to guide practice. Reports to the Chief, Medical Service and/or his/her designee.

Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Paid Time Off:

• 26 Days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave
• 13 Days paid sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation
• 11 paid Federal holidays per year
• 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 2020, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $19,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $25,500.
• 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