Physician - Non-Invasive Cardiologist

Veterans Health Administration • Little Rock, AR

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Non-Invasive Cardiologist provides care within the Medicine Service and reports to the Section Chief of Cardiology. The physician evaluates, diagnoses, consults on, treats, and manages inpatients and outpatients with a wide variety of acute, chronic, and suspected diseases. The role also includes educating trainees and engaging in basic, clinical, or health services research in cardiovascular disease.

The physician performs and interprets non-invasive cardiac imaging, provides inpatient and outpatient cardiology consultations, collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, and contributes to clinical protocols, quality improvement, and cardiac imaging lab accreditation. The position includes teaching and mentoring trainees and other healthcare professionals, maintaining timely and accurate medical records, participating in on-call and rotating coverage, providing shared emergency and inpatient coverage during off hours, and supporting general cardiology activities and administrative assignments.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., subject to change based on facility needs. Occasional travel may be required to staff clinics at community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs); no overnight travel is required. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program requirements and approval. The announcement also lists possible recruitment or relocation incentives for highly qualified candidates, competitive salary, annual performance bonuses, salary increases, paid time off, federal retirement and insurance programs, possible CME reimbursement, and malpractice coverage.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved or accredited institution.
• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Completion of residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to board certification eligibility, or qualifying alternative training and independent-practice experience specified in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Successful completion of required pre-employment screening, including applicable drug testing, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Applicants must meet the EDRP eligibility requirements and submit an application within four months of appointment to be considered for the program; former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for the incentive.

Nice To Haves

• Eligibility for academic appointment; academic rank will be commensurate with experience as determined by UAMS.
• Board certification may be required for physicians involved in academic training programs to hold faculty status.

Responsibilities

• Perform and interpret non-invasive cardiac imaging, including transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, stress echocardiography, cardiac CT, cardiac MRI, and nuclear cardiology studies.
• Provide inpatient and outpatient cardiology consultations for veterans with a range of cardiovascular conditions, focusing on diagnosis and management through non-invasive methods.
• Collaborate with primary care, internal medicine, and other specialists to coordinate care and optimize cardiovascular outcomes.
• Participate in developing and implementing clinical protocols and quality improvement initiatives related to cardiac imaging and non-invasive cardiology services.
• Provide clinical supervision, teaching, and mentorship to cardiology fellows, residents, medical students, and other healthcare professionals.
• Contribute to maintaining and accrediting cardiac imaging laboratories, ensuring compliance with national standards and VA policies.
• Document patient interactions and diagnostic findings in the electronic health record accurately and promptly, following VA guidelines.
• Participate in on-call and rotating coverage schedules, as required, for non-invasive cardiology services and urgent imaging interpretations.
• Provide shared coverage of emergency and inpatient care during off hours.
• Participate in section and service meetings, quality assurance programs, and chart reviews.
• Complete medical record documentation within applicable guidelines and deadlines, including e-consults, encounters, and CPRS documentation, and code visits in accordance with coding guidelines.
• Participate in administrative work assignments and program building as assigned by the Section Chief and Service Chief.
• Participate in general cardiology rounding and other Cardiology activities as needed.
• Educate trainees and engage in basic, clinical, or health services research in cardiovascular disease.
• Travel occasionally to staff clinics at CBOCs, if required.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with possible student loan repayment of up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and approval.
• Possible recruitment or relocation incentive (sign-on bonus) for highly qualified candidates.
• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and a possible five-day paid absence for CME.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 per year CME reimbursement for full-time, board-certified employees.
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree