Physician - Hospice & Palliative Care

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; West Palm Beach (FL); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual performance bonus

Paid Time Off: 50-55 days per year

Traditional federal pension

CME reimbursement

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in West Palm Beach is seeking an Attending Physician specializing in Hospice and Palliative Care. The incumbent will deliver clinical services, manage patient care in inpatient and outpatient settings, and participate in educational activities for staff.

Requirements include a Doctor of Medicine degree and completion of residency training. The role promotes teamwork and requires proficiency in English and management of stressful situations. Competitive salary, generous paid time off, and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Current VA physicians must meet basic requirements.
• Physical requirements must be met including manual dexterity and ability to lift.
• Hospice/Palliative medicine training preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides clinical services in Hospice–Palliative Care and Geriatrics.
• Serves as resource for senior management on care delivery.
• Promotes teamwork and cooperation among staff.

Skills

Proficiency in spoken and written English

Ability to conduct goals-of-care discussions

Manage stressful situations effectively

Adapt to changing priorities

Education

Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree

Completed residency training

Job description

Summary

The WPB VA has a designated role in the Geriatrics and Extended Care service as the Attending Physician and Palliative Care provider for both inpatient and outpatient settings at the VA WPB Health Care System. The incumbent delivers clinical services in Hospice-Palliative Care and Geriatrics and serves as a teaching faculty member in the VA’s Hospice & Palliative Medicine fellowship program.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the basic requirements and any additional qualifications listed in the announcement. Physicians who are pending completion of training or license requirements may be tentatively selected but cannot be hired until all requirements are fulfilled. Current VA physicians who were appointed under the prior standard are considered to meet the basic requirements.

Basic Requirements

• United States citizenship (non‑citizens may only be appointed when no qualified citizens can be recruited in accordance with VA policy).
• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from a school approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Full and unrestricted state, territory, or Commonwealth license to practice medicine or surgery.
• Completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to board certification. (Approved residencies include ACGME or AOA programs; alternative options include one year of post‑medical school training plus two years of independent practice, or non‑US training followed by at least three years of verified independent practice in the United States.)
• Residents in accredited programs who meet the basic requirements are eligible to be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs) on an intermittent basis. PRPs are not independent practitioners and are subject to a scoped practice under supervision.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred experience: Hospice/ Palliative medicine training and/or geriatrics training, ability to conduct goals‑of‑care discussions and evaluations.
• Physical requirements: Must pass a pre‑employment physical examination per VA Handbook 5019, including visual acuity, hearing, speech clarity, manual dexterity, ability to walk, stand, stoop, sit, bend, pull, and push for extended periods, and lift up to 15 pounds. Exposure to infectious patients and potential use of protective clothing may occur.
• The physician must manage stressful situations effectively, adapt to changing priorities based on veteran needs.
• Reference: For additional information on this qualification standard, see https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• Provides clinical services in Hospice–Palliative Care and Geriatrics for veterans enrolled in the VA WPB Health Care System.
• Serves as a resource to senior management and clinical & administrative leaders on issues impacting delivery of care for veterans who use the Geriatrics Department services.
• Assists in maintaining a comprehensive Hospice–Palliative Care and Geriatrics program to ensure compliance with VHA guidelines and other relevant standards.
• Participates in Palliative Care consults as part of the care team and assigns direct patient care in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Acts as attending of record for veterans admitted to the Community Living Center, including the Valor Way Hospice neighborhood.
• Engages in educational activities related to service delivery for Community Living Center residents and promotes continuing education for staff.
• Promotes teamwork and cooperation among professional and support staff to achieve high productivity, satisfaction, and effective communication within the Service and across other Care Lines/Services/Programs.
• Participates in medical provider assignments and coverage in collaboration with the Chief of Geriatrics and Extended Care.
• Ensures resident care services are provided within established clinical privileges, scope of practice, competencies, and qualifications.
• Serves as a direct staff provider within the Department of GEC as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• Paid Time Off: 50–55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, and an additional 5 days paid absence for CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many federal insurance programs are available and 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 (if full‑time with board certification).
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided.
• Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.
• Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – Friday 4:30 pm.