Physician (Pulmonary Diseases)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with annual performance bonus

Paid time off: 50–55 days per year

Federal health, vision, and dental insurance

401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution

Possible CME reimbursement up to $1,000 per year

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Physician specializing in Pulmonology, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. This role involves providing patient care in the Intensive Care Unit and directing the treatment of all patients to ensure quality outcomes.

Ideal candidates will have a valid medical license, completion of residency training, and proficiency in English. The position offers a competitive salary, generous paid time off, and comprehensive benefits including retirement plans and insurance coverage.

Qualifications

• Must meet basic citizenship and education requirements.
• Current full and unrestricted medical license required.
• Residency training in relevant specialties is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient care in ICU as a Pulmonologist/Intensivist.
• Lead efforts to reduce ICU-related morbidity and mortality.
• Perform pulmonary and sleep consultations for patients.

Skills

Proficiency in spoken and written English

Board certification in Pulmonary Diseases

Critical thinking

Ability to perform procedures such as intubation and bronchoscopy

Education

Doctor of medicine or equivalent degree

Completed residency in an accredited training program

Job description

Summary

West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is seeking a Physician (Pulmonologist/Intensivist/Sleep Physician) to provide patient care for further growth and development of the pulmonology/critical care/sleep department within the context of the emerging competitive health care environment.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending 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
• Doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course in allopathic or osteopathic medicine
• The degree must have been obtained from a VA-approved school for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia
• Residency Training: completed residency in an accredited core specialty training program leading to board certification, or one of the following alternatives
  • Approved ACGME or AOA core residency program completed in the year completed
  • One year of post‑medical school training (internship or transitional year) followed by two years of independent practice under a full license in the United States
  • Non‑U.S. residency program followed by at least three years of verified independent practice in the United States, performing duties related to the position (U.S. fellowships would be creditable)
• Residents in accredited programs who otherwise meet basic requirements may be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs) on an intermittent basis under a defined scope of practice and supervision
• PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and cannot be privileged
• Physicians who have not yet completed residency can be considered if the facility director submits a memo for a reasonable exception with approval from the VISN Director
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred: Board certification in Pulmonary Diseases or Critical Care
• Physical Requirements: must pass a pre‑employment physical examination. The position requires light to moderate lifting (15–44 lbs), light carrying (≤15 lbs), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, walking (≤2 hours), standing (≤2 hours), kneeling (≤1 hour), rapid mental and muscular coordination, near vision correctable at 13–16", far vision 20/20 one eye and 20/40 the other, depth perception, color discrimination, hearing (aid permitted), emotional stability, mental stability, ability to work closely with others and independently.

Duties

• Provide continuous patient care in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as the Pulmonologist/Intensivist (PI), directing care of all patients and ensuring quality outcomes
• Lead early intervention and ongoing care to reduce ICU‑related morbidity and mortality
• Communicate proactively with clinicians to assure optimal results
• Provide outpatient and inpatient pulmonary and sleep consultations during clinic and inpatient time, including reading sleep studies
• Perform and/or supervise procedures such as central line placement, intubation, bronchoscopy, EBUS, thoracentesis, and others as required
• Examine and evaluate patients for ICU admission and notify admitting physicians of assessments
• Document evaluations of all ICU patients during daily rounds and as needed
• Respond to cardiac and respiratory arrests in the ICU, assuming the Code Team Leader role
• Sign out to the oncoming physician for informed transition of care
• Complete off‑duty summary notes when leaving ICU service
• Participate in daily patient care rounds with charge nurse, pharmacy, dietary, case management, respiratory care, pastoral care, and ICU nursing staff
• Perform outpatient consultations in the Pulmonary Clinic (8–15 patients per day) and provide inpatient pulmonary consultations
• May admit critically ill ICU patients with pulmonary diseases requiring assisted ventilation
• Manage administrative components of patient care, including teaching residents and students and conducting Noon Conferences for didactic training
• Participate in educational programs for critical care unit personnel and the medical staff
• Monitor quality, safety, and appropriateness of patient care
• Attend ICU Committee meetings
• Develop and update ICU policies and procedures
• Work schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; shifts may vary based on facility needs

Benefits

• Competitive salary with 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 5 days paid absence for CME)
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care; many federal programs carry into retirement
• License requirement: one full and unrestricted U.S. state or territory license
• Possible CME reimbursement of up to $1,000 per year for full‑time board‑certified physicians
• Free liability protection with tail coverage provided
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting