Physician - Palliative Care

Salem Health Hospitals & Clinics; Fresno (CA); Hybrid; USD 240,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

VA Central California Healthcare System is seeking a physician to provide outpatient and inpatient palliative care consultations. The role supports the Hospice/Palliative Care Consultation Program and focuses on symptom management and goal-concordant care for veterans.

The incumbent will participate in a multidisciplinary team, develop written care plans, and monitor quality metrics while maintaining full medical licensure and board certification requirements.

Qualifications

• Citizenship and licensure requirements as per VA policy.
• Current full and unrestricted medical license in the United States or District of Columbia.
• Residency training in an approved core specialty leading to board eligibility.
• Option for physician residents under supervision as PRPs where applicable.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Provides outpatient and inpatient consultation services to patients.
• Provides clinical support to the Palliative Care Team under Hospice/Palliative Care Consultation Program.
• Performs evidence-based practices to manage symptoms in palliative care patients.
• Facilitates clarification of patient and family goals of care.
• Consults with the Palliative Care Team to establish a written plan of care.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings to review active cases.
• Implements strategic care plans to improve quality of life services utilization and access.
• Monitors quality and service metrics across the care continuum.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

English proficiency

Education

MD or DO (Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine)

Board Certification in Palliative Care

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) & 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 ineligible to apply.

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


• OR (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


• OR (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


• In rare and unusual circumstances - the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer - who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience - accomplishments - performance - and qualifications warrant such action


• Proficiency in spoken and written English


• Additional Requirement: Board Certification in Palliative Care Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/


• Physical Requirements: Applicants must meet physical standards for the position


• A physical examination prior to placement is required


• This is a designated drug testing position


• After appointment - you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use


• Requires lifting 15-44 pounds


• pushing (approx


• 2 hours)


• reaching above shoulder


• use of fingers and both hands


• walking and standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling


• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously


• Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors


• Hearing aid is permitted.

Duties

• **This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 25th - 2026


• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be May 12th - 2026 - with subsequent cut-off dates every 2 weeks


• Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.** VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package


• VHA Physician Total Rewards


• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more


• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive


• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm 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 possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K 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: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US 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 Incumbent is assigned to the Palliative Care Section of Medicine Service - VA Central California Healthcare System (VACCHCS)


• VA provides patient centered care - delivered by engaged - collaborative teams in an integrated environment that supports learning and continuous improvement


• The Veteran's experience and health outcomes are improved with an emphasis on prevention through healing relationships in an optimal healing environment


• The incumbent must have outstanding clinical and interpersonal skills as a member of the VA professional health care team and providing continuous veteran-centered care and services to family members


• Major Duties include but not limited to: Provides outpatient and inpatient consultation services to patients


• Provide clinical support to the Palliative Care Team Member under the facility Hospice/Palliative Care Consultation Program


• Perform evidence-based practices to enhance symptom management of palliative care patients


• Facilitate clarification of patient and family goals of care


• Consult with the Palliative Care Team and other Interdisciplinary care team to establish a written plan of care


• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to review active cases


• Implement strategic care plan to appropriately facilitate utilization and access to quality of life services


• Monitor quality and service metrics across the continuum of care to ensure departmental goals are achieved


• Other duties as assigned.