Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications and subsequent cut-off dates are on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled

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 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 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) - b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) -OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States) - 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
• 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 or fee-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
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position - with or without reasonable accommodation - without hazard to themselves or others
• Depending on the essential duties of a specific position - usable vision - color vision - hearing or speech may be required
• however - in most cases - a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid.

Duties

• Located on the Georgia/South Carolina border - the city of Augusta - GA lies on the Savannah River - which supports its diverse economic endeavors as well as vast recreation options
• The city is the center point of the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) - a 13-county region that includes both Georgia and South Carolina
• It is located within close proximity to many major southern destinations including Atlanta - Columbia - and Charlotte
• Our hospital provides primary care and specialty health services - including mental health services - physical therapy and rehabilitation - spinal cord injury treatment - and more
• Below - you'll find our address and hours - parking and transportation information - and the other health services we offer at our Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta VHA and CBOC locations
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized 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
• Learn more Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@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 The Rheumatologist works within the Rheumatology Section of the Specialty Care Service
• Clinical oversight is provided by the section chief of Rheumatology
• The Rheumatologist is responsible for providing Inpatient Rheumatology consults and follow-up - outpatient Rheumatology consults and follow-up - evaluation of patients with a variety of Rheumatologic conditions - and the performance of Rheumatology procedures
• Some of the functions performed by the Rheumatologist include - but are not limited to - the following: Provides an infusion clinic for patients requiring biologics and IV bisphosphonates
• Reviews and examines all patients with the fellows and also the clinical pharmacists
• Reviews no-shows - contacting patients for abnormal lab tests - review of requests for refill
• Provides ongoing care for patients with a wide variety of Rheumatologic conditions The position is a clinical position but it may have research duties per discretion of supervisory alignment
• Completes tasks and duties as assigned by direct supervisor and/or supervisory alignment
• Adheres to VHA and Medical Center policies and regulations as well as the Medical Staff bylaws
• Adheres to the Medicine's Department's goals of productivity - book ability - and utilization
• Completes all mandatory training - credentialing procedures - chart reviews
• Provided oversight to Rheumatology fellows and trainees
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 8:00 am - 4:30 pm