Physician - Transplant Hepatologist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 250,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP eligible

Competitive salary

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Liver Transplant Medical Director to lead evaluative and post‑transplant care, working with national partners to optimize veteran transplant candidates.

The role combines clinical excellence with program leadership and education within a nationally recognized VA transplant program. Strong English proficiency and board eligibility/certification in Gastroenterology are preferred.

Qualifications

• MD or DO degree from an approved school
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in the U.S.
• Residency in an accredited core specialty leading to board eligibility
• Board eligible or certified in Gastroenterology with fellowship training (preferred)
• Proficiency in spoken and written English

Responsibilities

• Provide liver transplant leadership and clinical care within a VA transplant center
• Coordinate comprehensive liver transplant evaluations and post-transplant care
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across hepatology, surgery, psychology, addiction medicine, pharmacy, and social work
• Develop and implement an Alcohol Use Disorder optimization program for transplant candidates
• Participate in transplant boards, tumor board, and transplant huddle
• Manage telehealth services for transplant patients and oversee post-transplant monitoring

Skills

Medical license

Board eligibility

Gastroenterology

Education

MD/DO degree

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) 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 are 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 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 resulting from a course of education in allopathic or osteopathic medicine
• Degree obtained from a school approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year of completion
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth 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 training program leading to eligibility for board certification
• Approved residencies are those recognized by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) listed for the year of completion
• OR one year of post‑medical‑school training (internship or transitional year) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post‑training independent practice in the United States
• OR non‑U.S. residency training 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
• Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency programs and who otherwise meet the basic requirements are eligible to 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 considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged
• PRPs have a scope of practice allowing them to perform certain 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 residency training requirements for physicians whose record of experience warrants such action
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred experience: Board eligible or certified in Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology with accredited fellowship training in Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology and competence in general GI endoscopy
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical requirements include repetitive body movements, frequent reaching, standing, walking, and lifting of equipment or patients to provide patient care; extension of hands and arms in any direction; maintenance of an upright position; ability to assist with patient ambulation and transfer; ability to raise and move objects horizontally; and lifting as needed for patient or equipment handling.

Duties

• This role blends clinical excellence, program leadership, education, and collaborative team‑based care
• As the Liver Transplant Medical Director, you will be a key member of a nationally recognized transplant center within the VA system, working closely with national partners to deliver liver transplant evaluations, optimize veteran transplant candidates, and ensure continuity of care post‑transplant
• Veteran‑centered liver transplantation: diagnose and manage the full spectrum of chronic liver diseases—including hepatitis C, NAFLD/NASH, autoimmune liver disease, and alcohol‑associated liver disease
• Coordinate and conduct comprehensive pre‑ and post‑liver transplant evaluations, including medical optimization and longitudinal transplant care in partnership with VA transplant centers
• Actively participate in multidisciplinary transplant boards and collaborate with hepatology, surgery, psychology, addiction medicine, pharmacy, and social work teams
• Develop an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Optimization Program; lead the design and implementation of a dedicated AUD care pathway for veterans with alcohol‑associated liver disease being considered for transplant
• Work alongside transplant psychologists and addiction medicine specialists to provide integrated, evidence‑based care—including structured behavioral interventions, abstinence monitoring, and relapse prevention plans
• Establish robust post‑transplant monitoring and support protocols tailored to the needs of veterans, including coordination with VA mental health services and community resources
• Active participation in the weekly Tumor Board to evaluate and discuss complex oncology cases
• Attend the weekly Transplant Huddle to coordinate care and align on patient management strategies
• Lead the Transplant Selection Committee, guiding multidisciplinary decisions on transplant candidacy
• Engage in the Liver Transplant Multidisciplinary Clinic, working closely with a team of specialists to provide comprehensive patient care
• Manage a personal Telehealth Clinic, offering remote consults and continuity of care for transplant patients
• Oversee post‑transplant monitoring and long‑term care, ensuring optimal patient outcomes and addressing complications
• Review and accept referrals from VA referral centers nationwide, ensuring timely access to transplant services
• Triage clinical calls from referring VA facilities, providing expert guidance on the care of veteran patients
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment), VHA Physician Total Rewards, and additional benefits
• EDRP authorized; former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] – the EDRP Coordinator for questions or assistance
• Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases; Paid Time Off: 50–55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays, and up to 5 days paid absence for CME); Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% 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 U.S. 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 a.m.–4:30 p.m.