Physician - Geriatrics Home Based Primary Care

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and annual performance bonus

Paid Time Off: 50-55 days per year

Federal health/vision/dental insurance

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Medical Director (Physician) for the Home Based Primary Care Program in Albuquerque, NM. This position involves delivering comprehensive home-based primary care to chronically ill Veterans and coordinating with an interdisciplinary team to ensure high-quality care.

Qualifications include a Doctor of Medicine degree, a full medical license, and experience caring for geriatric patients. The role offers a competitive salary and generous benefits, focusing on patient-centered care.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen with a full and unrestricted medical license.
• Experience in relevant residency training and independent practice.
• Excellent physical and mental stamina required.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive home-based primary care to frail Veterans.
• Coordinate care with an interdisciplinary team.
• Ensure quality, safety, and performance goals for Veterans.

Skills

Board Eligible or Board Certified in Geriatrics

Experience caring for geriatrics patients in an outpatient setting

Supervisory Experience of providers

Proficiency in spoken and written English

Education

Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree

Completed residency training in an accredited core specialty

Job description

Summary

The New Mexico VA Health Care System is seeking a Medical Director (Physician) for the Home Based Primary Care Program to provide comprehensive home-based primary care to frail - chronically ill Veterans. The physician delivers longitudinal care, coordinates with an interdisciplinary team, and supports quality, safety, and performance goals for Veterans with complex medical needs.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine
• The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Current - full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth of the United States - or in the District of Columbia
• Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training - approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification
• NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status
• Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education - the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - in the list published for the year the residency - or fellowship if applicable - was completed
• (2) One year of post medical school training (internship - first year of residency - or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States
• (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the Physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences
• Exceptions: Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as “Physician Resident Providers” (PRPs)
• PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e. - not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis
• PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged
• rather - they are to have a “scope of practice” that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision
• Additionally - surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Board Eligible or Board Certified in Geriatrics, 2 years of experience caring for geriatrics patients in an outpatient setting, Supervisory Experience of providers
• Physical Requirements: Light to moderate lifting (15 - 44 lbs.)
• Light carrying (15 lbs and under)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 2 hours)
• Standing (up to 2 hours)
• Kneeling (up to 1 hour)
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• Emotional stability
• Mental stability
• Working closely with others and working alone.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package; VHA Physician Total Rewards; Pay: competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases; Paid Time Off: 50‑55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave – 13 days of sick leave – 11 paid federal holidays per year and a possible 5‑day paid absence for CME); Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA; Insurance: federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement); Licensure: one full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory; CME: possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full‑time with board certification); Malpractice: free liability protection with tail coverage provided; Contract: no physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting. Major duties of this position include but are not limited to: assume overall medical responsibility for assigned HBPC patients including input on admission criteria for the HBPC program.
• Provide medical directorship of the HBPC program including ensuring clinical metrics and quality standards are met.
• Work closely with the HBPC Program Director and GEC Leadership team to ensure high quality care of Veterans enrolled in this program are met – including oversight of satellite HBPC sites in Santa Fe, Gallup, and Farmington.
• Adhere to National VHA HBPC Directive to ensure procedures are followed.
• Determine the need for consultation from medical, surgical, psychiatric, or other subspecialty clinics.
• Determine the need for – and facilitate admission to the hospital and other transitions of care.
• Visit the HBPC patients at home for medical evaluation and treatment when clinically indicated.
• Be able to conduct virtual visits using VA approved platforms.
• Provide medical administrative support such as completing physician required orders and forms for the HBPC patients.
• Plan and direct the educational and clinical experience of medical students, residents, and fellows assigned to the HBPC Program when indicated.
• Assume a leadership role in the development and implementation of HBPC's process for continuous performance improvement.
• Participate in the development of the individual plan of care at interdisciplinary care meetings for primary care provider assigned panel of patients.
• Support the caregiver's capability to continue to provide care.
• Coordinate the process of care with the other team members to maximize efficiency and improve clinical outcomes.
• Assess the patient's continuing need for HBPC care and plan for HBPC discharge when indicated.
• Use VHA and community resources as appropriate.
• Support and work with GEC care teams consisting of staff physicians, residents, nurse practitioners, nurses, clerical staff, and other support staff to provide care that is centered on the needs of the patient and patient's family.
• Participate in lean processes for the improvement of patient care services to meet changing patient care needs and or staffing levels.
• Collaborate in peer review and Quality Improvement initiative when needed.
• Perform chart review – conduct Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE).
• Ensure provider competencies are maintained and appropriately documented with the Medical Staff Office and Human Resources.
• Participate in clinical and administrative committee assignments at the direction of the Chief – Geriatrics and Extended Care – including at least 50% of regularly scheduled Medical Staff meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Monday to Friday.