Physician - Hospitalist

Veterans Health Administration • Fort Meade, SD

5d

About The Position

The Hospitalist evaluates, manages, and cares for patients in acute inpatient wards, the intensive care unit, the emergency department, and/or urgent care. The position supports the VA Midwest Health Care Network’s Whole Health approach, which empowers Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being through personalized health plans, healing relationships and environments, and connections to their communities.

The Hospitalist manages adult medical inpatients from admission through discharge, coordinates care with specialists, primary care physicians, emergency department clinicians, and external providers, and contributes to quality, teaching, and professional development activities. The position uses CPRS for clinical documentation and orders and follows applicable administrative, cybersecurity, and privacy requirements.

The role follows an every-other-week schedule, Monday through Sunday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. VA describes a total rewards package that includes paid time off, retirement and insurance programs, possible CME reimbursement, and free malpractice protection with tail coverage. The position is not subject to a physician employment contract or significant restrictions on moonlighting. Eligible applicants may apply for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program requirements and approval.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved or accredited medical 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 residency training meeting the stated VA requirements: an accredited core specialty residency leading to board-certification eligibility, or an applicable alternative training and independent-practice pathway.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must undergo required background/security investigation and, if selected for a testing-designated position, pre-appointment urinalysis screening.
• Must complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Must serve a two-year probationary period.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment to be considered for the student loan repayment program; eligibility and award are subject to program review and approval.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate, manage, and care for patients in acute inpatient wards, the intensive care unit, the emergency department, and urgent care during assigned shifts.
• Manage adult medical inpatients, including taking histories, performing physical examinations, rounding, writing progress notes, planning discharges, and completing discharge summaries on time.
• Participate in inter-professional rounds and manage patient care on assigned medical wards.
• Perform medical consultations and pre-operative risk assessments for inpatient medical/surgical patients.
• Make decisions regarding admissions, discharges, transfers to higher levels of care, and referrals for admission to VA from outside facilities.
• Establish medical diagnoses; order laboratory and radiographic tests and appropriate consultations; and develop assessments and plans for assigned patients.
• Provide inpatient coverage for internal medicine patients on the acute medical ward and in the intensive care unit.
• Coordinate care with the emergency department and other services, and work with specialists and primary care physicians to support continuous, high-quality inpatient care.
• Discuss medical admissions with emergency room, ICU, and clinic physicians to assess appropriateness for general medical floors.
• Discuss potential transfers of Veterans from outlying hospitals or emergency departments with external attending providers.
• Use CPRS for order sets, documentation, administrative requirements, cybersecurity, and privacy rules.
• Teach medical students, advanced practice nurse practitioner students, and physician assistant students as assigned.
• Participate in quality management, assurance, chart review, peer review, and process improvement activities.
• Serve on Medical Staff committees.
• Maintain continuing medical education and ongoing professional development, and demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and respectful interaction with coworkers across disciplines.
• Take an active role in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of inpatient care from admission through discharge.
• Perform other assigned duties, which may include consulting on patients in the CLC, inpatient acute psychiatry, or the outpatient residential treatment program.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan repayment, with awards up to $200,000 subject to eligibility and approval.
• 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.
• 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 physicians with board certification.
• 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