Physician Pulmonologist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off: 50-55 days per year

Sign-on bonus up to 25%

Relocation Incentive: $20,000

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Spokane, WA, is seeking a physician to provide outpatient care focusing on respiratory disorders for veterans.

Qualified applicants should have a Doctor of Medicine, a full medical license, and the ability to manage pulmonology diseases. The role offers competitive salary, up to 55 days of paid time off annually, and a sign-on bonus. Join us in supporting veterans' health!

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must have a full and unrestricted medical license.
• Residency training approved by VA required.

Responsibilities

• Provide outpatient care to veterans with respiratory disorders.
• Diagnose and manage a variety of pulmonology diseases.
• Educate healthcare staff on best practices.

Skills

Proficiency in spoken and written English

Ability to diagnose and manage pulmonology diseases

Experience in outpatient care

Education

Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree

Completion of residency training

Job description

Summary

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

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 physicians 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 in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from a VA-approved school.
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory or the District of Columbia.
• Residency training: physicians must have completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program that leads to board certification.
• Residencies approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) for the year the program was completed, or one year of post‑medical‑school training followed by two years of independent practice, or non‑U.S. residency programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States.
• Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency programs who otherwise meet the basic requirements may be appointed as “Physician Resident Providers” (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis.
• PRPs are not independent practitioners and are not privileged; they perform restricted duties under supervision.
• In rare circumstances, the Facility Director may 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: VA Qualification Standards.

Duties

• Provide comprehensive outpatient care to veterans with respiratory disorders, including COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, pneumonia and sleep‑related disorders.
• Diagnose and manage a variety of pulmonology diseases in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Conduct comprehensive evaluations and management of respiratory conditions; determine when additional assessments or interventions are needed.
• Ensure timely access to pulmonology specialists through telehealth services and community care options.
• Develop individualized treatment plans, monitor patient progress, and adjust plans as necessary based on clinical findings and diagnostic results.
• Provide consultations and expert guidance to other healthcare providers on pulmonology cases.
• Educate healthcare staff on best practices for pulmonology prevention and control.
• Engage in clinical research and quality improvement projects related to pulmonology diseases.
• Implement evidence‑based practices and contribute to clinical guidelines and protocols.
• Participate in staff meetings, hospital committees, and the peer review process.
• Maintain VA training requirements, complete required documentation, and uphold credentials necessary for privileging.
• Participate in the Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE)/Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE) processes.
• Adhere to employee health requirements and participate in Clinical Pertinence Reviews.
• Cooperate with and participate in quality‑of‑care activities and performance‑improvement initiatives.
• Attend assigned meetings or action teams.
• Document patient observations, assessments, and changes in patient condition.
• Collaborate with health team members to facilitate positive patient‑care outcomes.
• Demonstrate leadership within interdisciplinary teams and foster collaborative decision‑making.
• Order, interpret, and utilize laboratory, radiologic, and other diagnostic studies to guide clinical management.
• Prescribe appropriate pharmacologic and non‑pharmacologic interventions.
• Provide comprehensive patient and family education regarding pulmonology diseases and treatment plans.
• Support practice‑based learning and improvement by using scientific evidence to investigate, evaluate, and improve patient care.
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): up to 25% of the total annual salary for the first year, renewed for three years.
• Relocation Incentive: $20,000 lump sum payment to eligible candidates under the EDRP program.
• Contact [e-mail] for EDRP questions or assistance.
• 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, plus up to 5 days paid absence for CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care insurance; many federal 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 for full‑time, board‑certified physicians.
• 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. – 4:00 p.m.