Physician - Gastroenterologist

Veterans Health Administration•Honolulu, HI

8h•Onsite

About The Position

This physician position is in the Specialty Care Service at the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. The staff physician reports directly to the Gastroenterology Section Supervisor and the Associate Chief of Staff of Specialty Care (ACOS). The position provides outpatient gastroenterology care and consultations for Veterans across a large service area that includes multiple Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in the Hawaiian Islands, American Samoa, and Guam. Care is delivered through in-person clinic visits, including travel to CBOCs, as well as telehealth, telephone visits, and electronic consultations. The schedule is based on identified Veteran needs. Clinical work includes evaluating patients with gastrointestinal and liver disorders, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, elevated liver function tests, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. The physician may consult with primary care physicians about patients with symptoms suggesting gastrointestinal conditions. Examinations may include rectal examinations and endoscopic procedures, which are currently performed off-site. The physician serves as the gastroenterology subject matter expert and provides clinical oversight to an advanced practice registered nurse. The role also includes guidance, consultation, and teaching for Gastroenterology Service staff and medical trainees rotating through the service. Protected research time may be available for physicians who wish to pursue a research program. Other related duties may be assigned by the Gastroenterology Section Supervisor and ACOS. This is an open continuous announcement that remains open until December 16, 2026. The initial application referral cut-off is October 23, 2026, with subsequent cut-offs every two weeks; later eligible applications are accepted on an ongoing basis as vacancies arise. The position offers a competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases, and may authorize recruitment or relocation incentives. Education Debt Reduction Program participation may be available to eligible applicants, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years, subject to program review and approval. There is no physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Requirements

Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved or accredited school.
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 a stated qualifying alternative pathway for post-graduate training and independent practice.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
Meet the applicable application and appointment requirements, including background/security investigation, onboarding, and required TB testing and immunization evaluations.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis screening for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of employment.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
Ability to meet the physical requirements, including lifting 15–44 pounds; pushing for approximately two hours; reaching above the shoulder; using fingers and both hands; walking and standing for 3–5 hours; and kneeling.
Ability to coordinate mental and muscular activity rapidly and simultaneously, perceive depth, and distinguish basic colors and shades.

Nice To Haves

Board certification or board eligibility in Gastroenterology through the American Board of Internal Medicine or an equivalent recognized body.
Demonstrated experience managing a broad spectrum of gastrointestinal diseases in outpatient settings.
Proficiency in common endoscopic procedures, including upper endoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, and polypectomy.
Experience with electronic health records (EHR).

Responsibilities

Provide direct outpatient clinical care for patients with gastroenterology problems.
Consult with VAPIHCS clinical staff and primary care physicians regarding patients with possible gastrointestinal conditions.
Provide care through face-to-face clinic visits, travel to CBOCs, telehealth, telephone visits, and electronic consultations.
Travel to CBOCs within VAPIHCS, including locations across the Hawaiian Islands, American Samoa, and Guam.
Examine and manage patients with gastrointestinal and liver disorders, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, elevated liver function tests, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
Perform examinations that may include rectal examinations; endoscopy procedures are currently done off-site.
Serve as the gastroenterology subject matter expert and provide clinical oversight to the advanced practice registered nurse.
Provide guidance, teaching, and consultation on staff education and development for Gastroenterology Service clinical staff.
Teach medical staff trainees rotating on the Gastroenterology Service.
Pursue a research program if desired and if protected research time is provided.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the Gastroenterology Section Supervisor and ACOS.

Benefits

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) student loan repayment, subject to eligibility and approval; award amount up to $200,000 for one to five years.
Authorized recruitment or relocation incentive (sign-on bonus).
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 401K 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, board-certified physicians.
Free liability protection with tail coverage.
No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.