Physician (National TeleRheumatology Program)
What you'd do
VHA is establishing a National TeleRheumatology Enterprise-Wide Initiative to increase Veteran access to outpatient general rheumatology care by using video telehealth technology. A virtual Rheumatology clinic will provide flexible, cost-effective care to veterans in areas where there are insufficient rheumatologists, either on a temporary or permanent basis. Selectee will be appointed on or after 10/04/2026
Major duties
Duties may include but are not limited to: - Provides direct patient-centered care as delineated in the list of clinical privileges for Rheumatology. - Provides comprehensive general rheumatology care to outpatients, including patient history, rheumatology focused examination, diagnosis, follow-up as needed, medical record documentation according to standard and acceptable practices. - Treatment, prescribing, and monitoring not limited to DMARDs and biologics - Performs TeleRheumatology assessments in a timely and professional manner. - Works collaboratively with other members of the Telehealth team including Telehealth Team Registered Nurse (RN), Telehealth Clinical Technician (TCT) and the local Facility Telehealth Coordinator (FTC). - May require the assistance of a telepresenter or TCT during the patient encounter. - Engages in Telemedicine or Teleconsultation practices as needed. - Assimilates the results of diagnostic studies (i.e. Laboratory and Radiology results into the formulation of a differential diagnosis and treatment plan. - Works collaboratively with other specialists and Primary Care PACT teams to ensure patients receive continuous quality care. - Prescribes medications according to federal and state law. - Follows emergency procedures as outlined in the Clinic-based Telehealth Handbook. - Provides appropriate education for the patient and family members regarding the patient's illness and/or management of care. - Participates in performance improvement, peer review and quality improvement initiatives as necessary. - Completes all mandatory TMS training. - Maintains accurate and timely patient medical record entries in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). - Complies with all VHA Privacy Policy (HIPPA) requirements. - Participates in provider satisfaction surveys as needed. - Participates in educational development through staff and other meetings. - Participates in activities aimed at ensuring staff well-being. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. 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 Virtual: May be required to report to the closest VA facility in accordance with the Return of Office (RTO) policy. Telework: Adhoc - As determined by agency policy Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm (Pacific and Mountain Time Zones)
What you need to qualify
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: Rheumatology experience within the VA. Telehealth experience Rheumatic ultrasound interpretation experience preferred Pacific Time Zone Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
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