Physician - Pulmonologist

Veterans Health Administration • Spokane, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center is recruiting one Pulmonologist to provide care at the VA hospital in Spokane, Washington. The role primarily provides outpatient care to Veterans with respiratory disorders, including COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, and other pulmonary conditions, and also includes inpatient care. The position supports access to pulmonary specialty services through telehealth and community care, including for Veterans in rural areas.

The Pulmonologist evaluates and manages pulmonary and sleep disorders, develops individualized treatment plans, orders and interprets diagnostic studies, prescribes interventions, and provides patient and family education. The physician also advises other healthcare providers, contributes to interdisciplinary care and quality improvement, and participates in research, clinical guideline development, staff meetings, committees, peer review, and professional practice evaluation. The physician must maintain required training, documentation, credentials, and privileging.

This is an open continuous announcement. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval. The position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. No physician employment contract or significant restriction on moonlighting is specified.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or an 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 leading to eligibility for board certification, or an applicable alternative pathway described in the announcement.
• 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.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination.
• Selected applicants are subject to a background/security investigation and, for testing-designated positions, pre-employment urinalysis.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete the online onboarding process and all application requirements in the announcement.
• Physical ability to perform the listed demands, including light lifting and carrying under 15 pounds, pushing, reaching above shoulder, finger and hand use, walking, standing, coordinated rapid mental and muscular activity, specified near vision and depth perception, distinguishing basic colors, and hearing (hearing aid may be permitted).

Nice To Haves

• Board certification is required for possible CME reimbursement; the announcement does not otherwise list it as a general requirement.
• Highly qualified candidates may be considered for a recruitment or relocation incentive.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and manage pulmonary diseases in inpatient and outpatient settings, including COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, and other pulmonary conditions.
• Determine when patients need additional assessments, tests, or procedures for sleep and pulmonary disorders, including polysomnography, home sleep testing, pulmonary function testing, and nocturnal oximetry.
• Facilitate timely access to pulmonology specialists through telehealth and community care options, including for Veterans in rural areas.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans, including for complex pulmonary diseases, and monitor patient progress, adjusting treatment based on clinical findings and diagnostic results.
• Provide consultations and expert guidance to other healthcare providers on pulmonology cases.
• Educate healthcare staff on pulmonary disease prevention and control, and provide patients and families with education about pulmonary diseases and treatment plans.
• Order, interpret, and use laboratory, radiologic, and other diagnostic studies to guide clinical management.
• Prescribe appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
• Document observations, assessments, and changes in patients’ conditions, and collaborate with healthcare team members to support positive outcomes.
• Demonstrate leadership within interdisciplinary teams and foster collaborative decision-making.
• Participate in clinical research and quality improvement projects, and contribute to evidence-based practices, clinical guidelines, and protocols.
• Participate in staff meetings, hospital committees, peer review, and assigned meetings or process action teams.
• Maintain VA training requirements, complete documentation on time, and keep credentials required for privileging and re-privileging current.
• Participate in the Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE) processes.
• Cooperate with and participate in quality-of-care, peer review, and other performance improvement activities as directed.

Benefits

• 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 possibly five paid days for CME.
• 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 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.
• Eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program, with potential reimbursement of up to $200,000 subject to program review and eligibility.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

What This Job Offers

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