Physician - Emergency Medicine

Veterans Health Administration • Salt Lake City, UT

9d

About The Position

The Physician - Emergency Medicine evaluates and manages acute and urgent medical, surgical, psychiatric, and behavioral conditions in adult patients in a VA health care setting. The physician performs emergency assessments, orders and interprets diagnostic studies, develops treatment plans, initiates therapy, and monitors patient responses. The role includes performing and supervising emergency procedures, coordinating care with specialty services, and arranging patient admission, transfer, or discharge. The physician may prescribe medications, including controlled substances, within the scope of emergency medicine, and supervises assigned Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, residents, medical students, and nursing staff. The position also participates in quality assurance, patient safety, and process improvement activities.

This is a full-time position with a rotating on-call schedule. Coverage may include day, evening, weekend, and holiday shifts. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. EDRP can provide up to $200,000 in student loan repayment, with the amount and eligibility period determined after application review. The position does not authorize a recruitment or relocation incentive. Compensation includes competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases, and a federal benefits package. The announcement states there is no Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Work is performed in a health care setting and may involve exposure to infection, contagious diseases, blood, and body fluids. Standard precautions and isolation techniques are used as indicated. The role may also require responding to physical or verbal abuse by patients, with workplace violence training provided.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an approved 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 qualifying residency training in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification, or an accepted alternative described in the announcement.
• Board certification by the American Board of Emergency Medicine.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• University of Utah staff appointment or University verification of appointment eligibility, which may be in process of acquisition.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Meet applicable background, security, onboarding, identification, and other pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Ability to walk and stand; read typewritten material without strain; hear conversational voice; maintain emotional and mental stability; work closely with others; and respond promptly at required locations.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of experience in Emergency Medicine preferred.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and manage acute and urgent medical, surgical, psychiatric, and behavioral conditions in adult patients.
• Conduct history-taking and physical examinations appropriate for emergency assessment.
• Order, interpret, and perform diagnostic tests, including laboratory studies, electrocardiograms, and radiographic imaging such as plain films, CT scans, and ultrasounds as needed.
• Formulate treatment plans, initiate therapy, and monitor responses.
• Perform and supervise emergency procedures, including advanced airway management and intubation; cardiopulmonary resuscitation and advanced cardiac life support; central and peripheral venous access; thoracentesis, paracentesis, and lumbar puncture; wound management and laceration repair; fracture and dislocation reduction and splinting; incision and drainage of abscesses; chest tube placement and needle thoracostomy; cricothyrotomy; emergency cardiac pacing; and procedural sedation and analgesia.
• Triage patients and prioritize care based on acuity.
• Consult with and refer patients to specialty services as clinically indicated.
• Initiate and coordinate patient admission, transfer, or discharge.
• Order and prescribe medications, including controlled substances, within the scope of emergency medicine.
• Provide oversight and supervision to assigned Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, residents, medical students, and nursing staff.
• Participate in quality assurance, patient safety, and process improvement activities.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan repayment, authorized for the position and subject to eligibility and approval; award may be up to $200,000.
• 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 possible five-day paid absence for CME.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 per year CME reimbursement for full-time physicians with board certification.
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.

What This Job Offers

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