Physician (Non-Invasive Cardiologist)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education Debt Reduction Program

Sign-on Bonus for eligible applicants

Comprehensive insurance coverage

Paid Time Off: 50-55 days per year

Retirement benefits

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a qualified physician for a role in Lexington, Kentucky. The position includes supervising and teaching in cardiology, performing non-invasive cardiac studies, and providing consultations in inpatient and outpatient settings. The ideal candidate must hold a doctor of medicine degree, license, and proficiency in English. A comprehensive benefits package includes competitive salary, recruitment incentives, and retirement plans. Work hours are Monday to Friday, with telework options available.

Qualifications

• Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• Degree of doctor of medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine.
• Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English required.
• Moderate lifting (15-25 lbs) and other physical requirements.

Responsibilities

• Clinical practice supervising and teaching cardiology fellows, residents, and medical students.
• Providing consultation on cardiovascular disease states for diagnosis and treatment.
• Performing and interpreting non-invasive cardiac studies.
• Leading and managing the Cardiology/Coronary Care Unit team.

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval – award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

• 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, 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 include: 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 or first year of residency or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of independent practice; 3) Non‑US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States.
• 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 (not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis.
• PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged.
• PRPs have a scope of practice that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision.
• In rare and unusual circumstances, the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer to request reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for physicians whose record warrants such action.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15‑25 lbs), moderate carrying (15‑25 lbs), straight pulling (up to 2‑3 hours), pushing (up to 2‑3 hours), reaching above shoulder, walking (up to 1‑2 hours), kneeling (up to 1‑2 hours), repeated bending (up to 1‑2 hours), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable, far vision correctable, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• Clinical practice – supervising and teaching cardiology fellows, residents, and medical students.
• Providing consultation on various cardiovascular disease states for diagnosis and treatment in inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Performing and interpreting non‑invasive cardiac studies such as stress tests, ambulatory ECG monitoring, and cardiac imaging tests (nuclear study, echocardiogram, cardiac CT, cardiac MRI).
• Sharing attending call responsibilities with other cardiologists for night, weekend, and holiday calls as needed.
• Rounding with the team of residents and fellows on such occasions and performing emergency procedures in the ICU, emergency department, or operating room when required.
• Leading and managing the Cardiology/Coronary Care Unit (CCU) team, consisting of cardiology fellows, internal medicine residents, medical students, pharmacists, mid‑level providers, etc., while on the inpatient service.
• Giving didactic lectures to cardiology fellows and participating in academic activities such as journal reviews, grand rounds, conferences, and lectures.
• Recognizing appropriate patients for referral and conferring with the Section Chief.
• Proficiency in non‑invasive imaging modalities, including advanced echocardiogram skills, cardiac CT, and cardiac MRI. Any other duties as assigned by the supervising physician or designee relating to scope of practice.

Benefits

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
• VHA Physician Total Rewards.
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): May be eligible for highly qualified applicants.
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment) – Learn more.
• Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentive.
• Contact [e-mail] – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
• Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• Paid Time Off: 50‑55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 sick days, 11 paid federal holidays, and up to 5 days paid absence for CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years 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 can be carried into retirement.
• Licensure: 1 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.
• Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Telework: ADHOC – Yes (as determined by agency policy).