Physician (Nephrologist) - EDRP/Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized

Veterans Health Administration • Amarillo, TX

1d

About The Position

The Staff Physician, Nephrologist provides clinical care and administrative leadership for the Nephrology program within Clinical Specialty Service, including quality control and accreditation activities. The physician evaluates and treats patients with electrolyte and acid-base disorders, nephrolithiasis, bone metabolism abnormalities, anemia, refractory hypertension, acute or chronic renal failure, and end-stage renal disease. Preventive kidney care includes comprehensive patient evaluation and education. The physician directs patients to appropriate diagnostic studies and treatments and provides expert opinions on the level and appropriateness of Nephrology care for patients requiring these services. The position serves as a point of contact with consult scheduling to arrange patient placement at the medical center or referral outside the system, and reviews requested diagnostic studies for appropriateness. The physician also participates in the education of fellows and residents as needed.

The role diagnoses and manages kidney-related medical problems and renal disorders, including glomerulonephritis, renal cancer, and hydronephrosis. It involves knowledge of normal kidney function, renal conditions and their treatments, and renal replacement therapy, including dialysis and kidney transplantation. The physician may perform pre-transplant assessments or assist with transplant referrals.

The physician examines patients, obtains and evaluates clinical, laboratory, and other pertinent data, determines diagnoses and clinical status, prescribes timely treatment, performs indicated therapeutic procedures, and adapts treatment plans as patient conditions change. The physician recognizes personal capabilities and limitations, responds promptly to emergencies, builds rapport with patients and relatives, and seeks consultations or specialty skills when appropriate.

The physician maintains complete, accurate, and current clinical records; promptly records examinations and changes in patient status; reports unusual incidents; and completes progress notes and orders daily. The physician uses the Computerized Patient Record System, completes encounters daily, and closes consults when the patient has been seen.

The position follows a Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. schedule. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified applicants. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program eligibility and approval. The role has 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 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, or an eligible alternative training and independent-practice pathway described in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except where non-citizens may be appointed under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Ability to complete required background and security investigation, onboarding, and pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must pass a pre-placement examination to determine ability to safely operate a government-owned vehicle.
• Must submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment to be considered for the program; eligibility and award are subject to VHA review and approval.

Nice To Haves

• Board certified or board eligible in Nephrology.
• Two or more years of experience treating patients for renal conditions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical care and administrative leadership for the Nephrology program, including quality control and accreditation activities.
• Evaluate and treat patients with renal and related disorders, including electrolyte and acid-base disorders, nephrolithiasis, bone metabolism abnormalities, anemia, refractory hypertension, renal failure, and end-stage renal disease.
• Provide preventive kidney care through comprehensive patient evaluation and education.
• Direct patient movement to appropriate diagnostic studies and treatments.
• Provide expert opinions on the level and appropriateness of Nephrology care for patients requiring these services.
• Coordinate consult scheduling and arrange patient placement at the medical center or referral outside the system.
• Review requested diagnostic studies to ensure appropriateness.
• Participate in education of fellows and residents as needed.
• Diagnose and manage kidney-related medical problems and a range of renal disorders; consider or assist with transplant assessments and referrals as appropriate.
• Examine patients, obtain and interpret clinical and laboratory data, determine diagnoses and clinical status, prescribe treatment, perform indicated procedures, and modify treatment plans when needed.
• Recognize and respond promptly to emergency situations.
• Develop rapport with patients and relatives and help them participate in treatment decisions.
• Consult facility or clinic specialty services when appropriate.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and current clinical records; promptly report unusual incidents; and complete and sign progress notes and orders daily.
• Use the Computerized Patient Record System.
• Complete all encounters daily and close consults when the patient has been seen.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program, with awards of up to $200,000 for an approved eligibility period of one to five years.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized for highly qualified applicants.
• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, Federal holidays, and possible paid CME absence.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• 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 physicians with board certification.
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.

What This Job Offers

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