Physician (Palliative Care)

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 261,000 - 319,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Physician (Palliative Care) to provide inpatient and outpatient palliative care within the North Florida/South Georgia VA Healthcare System. The role supports an academic hospital program and involves leading a dedicated palliative care team.

Ideal candidates will hold board certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, possess an unrestricted US medical license, and have experience in hospital-based palliative care.

Qualifications

• MD/DO degree from an approved school.
• Current full and unrestricted medical license to practice in the United States.
• Board certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine preferred for faculty status.
• Residency in Hospice and Palliative Medicine or equivalent pathway.
• English proficiency required.

Responsibilities

• Provide inpatient and outpatient palliative care consultations.
• Supervise and instruct Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and medical students.
• Lead the Palliative Care Team in day-to-day care of Veterans.
• Coordinate with interdisciplinary teams and arrange hospice services as needed.
• Participate in call coverage and maintain quality and access measures.

Education

MD/DO degree

Board certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine

Unrestricted medical license in the US

Residency in Hospice and Palliative Medicine (ACGME/AOA)

Job description

Summary

North Florida/South Georgia VA Healthcare System's Geriatric and Extended Care Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Physician (Palliative Care). Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards - as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. The Palliative Care Physician will work with the Palliative Care Team to provide compassionate and comprehensive palliative care in the inpatient and outpatient settings.

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 in Hospice and Palliative Medicine 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
• Board Certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Two (2) years experience in the Palliative Care or Hospice setting
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019
• This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health
• This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs. - carrying objects up to 15 lbs. - frequent reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - hands and legs - use of cranes and motor vehicles - walking & standing up to 8 hours - bending and climbing and able to hear whisper
• The incumbent must be physically - emotionally and mentally stable in order to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.

Duties

• *** This announcement has been amended to change the closing date to 12/31/2026 from 7/10/2026
• *** *** This announcement has been amended to change the maximum salary to $290 -000 from $315 -000.*** This is an open continuous announcement that will remain open until filled
• Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis
• Eligible applicants will be referred each week for consideration until a selection is made
• 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
• 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 the VISN 8 Compensation Center of Excellence at [e-mail] for questions/assistance
• 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 The Palliative Care Physician will be expected to perform a full range of duties to include but not limited to: Provide inpatient and Outpatient Palliative Care consultations
• Supervising and instructing Nurse Practitioners - Physician Assistants. - Medical Students - Residents and Geriatric Fellows as needed in an Interdisciplinary Team
• Lead the Palliative Care Team in the day-to-day managements of Veterans in the Palliative Care
• Help clarify life sustaining treatment preferences and provide recommendations as appropriate for high-risk Veterans as determined by CAN scores and other measures
• Help arrange Hospice Care both inside and outside the VA as needed
• Help with cross coverage of Community Living Center (CLC) patients
• Participate in call schedule for telephonic coverage for urgent needs of Veterans in the Palliative Care and in the CLC after administrative hours
• Will provide assistance to track outcomes - monitor and report trends - and perform activities to improve quality and access to Palliative Care
• Will act as point of contact for Veterans - families - and staff for issues related to Palliative Care
• Participate in other clinical duties as assigned by the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) for Geriatrics & Extended Care Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30 am - 4:00 pm or 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor
• The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs.)