Physician - Radiology Diagnostic (Mammography)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education Debt Reduction Program

Paid Time Off 50–55 days/year

Tail coverage for malpractice

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Eastern Colorado Health Care System seeks a Physician Radiologist with expertise in breast imaging to provide imaging interpretation for adult patients and to mentor residents and fellows within an academic-affiliated center.

The role emphasizes leadership in multidisciplinary radiology services, including supervising training, ensuring timely reporting of studies, and coordinating imaging protocols to optimize Veteran care.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine degree from an approved school.
• Current, full, and unrestricted medical license in the United States or District of Columbia.
• Residency training approved by VA/ACGME or AOA with board eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert radiology consultative services and guide residents, fellows, and staff.
• Supervise radiology residents or fellows and monitor progress toward core competencies.
• Interpret and record all imaging studies performed in the Imaging Service.

Skills

Breast Imaging

Radiology Interpretation

Education/Teaching

Leadership/Supervision

Emergency Care

Education

MD/DO

US Medical License

ACGME/AOA Residency

Job description

Summary

The Physician-Radiologist provides medical imaging interpretation of studies and related procedures to adult patients at VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS). Assist in educating residents and fellows in the medical imaging environment of a Medical Center with Academic Affiliation.

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 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
• Preferred Experience: Completed a Fellowship in Mammography Current Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) qualification to perform and interpret breast imaging and procedures in all modalities is required
• Perform breast biopsies - including stereotactic biopsies is required
• Experience with breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Skill and ability to interpret radiographs and examinations related to other specialties in diagnostic imaging
• Significant experience with Breast Imaging interpretation
• More than 5 years' experience in Breast Imaging
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds
• Light carrying - under 15 pounds
• Straight pulling
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking Standing Repeated bending Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to jaeger 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Both eyes required
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of color
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• Emotional / Mental stability under stress
• Typing/ computer work

Duties

• Clinical: Provide expert - professional radiology consultative services and guide residents - fellows - attending physicians and other staff in the associated complexities and proper uses of radiology diagnosis and therapeutic interventions
• Supervise radiology residents or fellows and monitor progress and assess appropriate core competencies or school objectives
• Interpret and record all studies performed within the Imaging Service
• Verbally contact responsible clinicians on all potentially significant findings
• Maintain timeliness of image interpretation
• Implement all appropriate quality assurance/improvement measures
• Examine internal structures and functions of organ systems to assist in diagnoses after correlation of imaging findings with other related imaging examinations or procedures
• Aid in treatment plans by utilization of interventional devices for injections
• Primary focus of practice is the interpretation of medical imaging studies in multiple modalities and areas of expertise
• Protocol clinical orders to ensure accurate - appropriate imaging related to Veteran history and reason for study
• Timely reporting of findings to include verbal discussion with referring clinicians regarding findings and final verification of proofread dictations
• Complete mandatory training as stipulated by ECHCS and CME requirements specific to the service
• Collaborate with other health care resources to ensure timely and appropriate care of patients
• Supervise residents and fellows in the medical imaging environment of a Medical Center with Academic Affiliation
• Complete peer review processes and document accurately
• Report findings to the Imaging Service Chief as appropriate
• Function as the liaison between the Chief of Imaging and Sub-specialty services on clinical issues
• Adhere to all applicable Federal - VA - VHA - and facility policies or regulations
• Assist other staff assigned to the Imaging Service as needed
• Provide call coverage as required
• Other duties as assigned by the Imaging Service Chief
• Scope of Practice Core Elements: The core elements for a Physician Radiologist Scope of Practice may include but are not limited to: Supervision and/or performance of diagnostic studies requiring the use of radiation (x-rays), ultrasound, MRI, radiopharmaceuticals, contrast media, and other imaging techniques.
• Interpretation of diagnostic studies and procedures.
• May perform invasive procedures under delineated diagnostic radiology privileges.
• May perform therapeutic procedures under delineated diagnostic radiology privileges.
• May perform therapeutic procedures in nuclear medicine under delineated diagnostic radiology privileges.
• May perform breast imaging and procedures under delineated diagnostic radiology privileges.
• Emergency Duties: Emergency duties are those carried out for patients in life-threatening situations.
• The Physician Radiologist activates appropriate emergency procedures and initiates appropriate clinical intervention until emergency designated staff arrive.
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package, VHA Physician Total Rewards, Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Available Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): 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 ineligible to apply.
• Learn more.
• 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.
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.