Summary

The VA St. Louis Health Care System is recruiting for Part-time Nephrologist located within Medicine Service at our John Cochran Division. The St. Louis VA Health Care System provides cutting-edge surgical and procedural care to veterans.

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. This position is at a university affiliated VA facility. Participation in the education of medical students and trainees (residents - fellows) is an important component of this position. The successful candidate should have significant experience in bedside and didactic teaching in a university affiliated hospital. Didactic teaching includes lectures to students and residents as part of their core curriculum while rotating at the VA; lectures directed at advanced trainees (renal fellows) - including renal or medical grand rounds - journal club and research conferences. Overall - these activities cover both individual and group learning experiences - where one serves as the as the learning facilitator in the role of a mentor or teacher for residents - trainees - or employees - including other staff physicians. Counsels the learner on professional/occupational goals as they relate to education activities. Plans and guides educational activities to meet the individual needs of the learner within the resources available. Actively solicits evaluation from learners of teaching and educational experiences. Assures that content is based upon learner and patient care needs - is up-to-date and at the appropriate level for the audience. Develops courses - lectures or programs based on preestablished objectives. Employs learning resources and media (library - film - slides - etc.) in an appropriate manner. The successful candidate will have a record of scholarly activity and demonstrate the ability to engage in scholarly pursuits as an integral part of their role as staff nephrologist. Scholarly activities include clinical or basic research; development - implementation and monitoring of educational curriculum; development of new clinical programs to meet patient care needs; oversight of quality improvement activities; develop and implement informatics tools.

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 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 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) - b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) -OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States) - 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
• 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 or fee-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
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Additional Requirement: Preferred Experience: Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: In Accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• The Physical requirements of this position include the following tasks which may be performed intermittently: lifting of up to 10 lbs. - sitting (4 hours) - standing (2 hours) - walking (2 hours) - bending/stooping (1 hour) - twisting (1/2 hour) - simple grasping (4 hours) - fine manipulation (6 hours) - reaching above the shoulder (1/2 hour) - and operating machinery (1/2 hour).

Duties

• Diagnoses kidney-related medical problems
• Studies normal kidney function - kidney problems - the treatment of kidney problems and renal replacement therapy (dialysis and kidney transplantation)
• Nephrologist to diagnose - treat and manage any condition or disease which affects kidney function and its complications - and disorder of electrolytes - acid-base and calcium homeostasis
• This need not necessarily mean only the management of disorders of the kidney - but also the management of a wide range of systemic disorders - which may be responsible for malfunctioning of the kidneys which include high blood pressure - cancers or diabetes
• Ability to manage critically ill patients in the intensive care unit in need of continuous dialysis therapies (CRRT) is a requirement of this position
• Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
• NOTE: May be expected to work rotating weekends and holidays
• Pay Schedule: The salary range listed in this announcement is a Base-Line Salary ($200 -000-$300 -000) range estimate for a full-time work schedule
• Starting salary will be set based on locality (which may include a special pay rate depending upon location) - as well as FT - PT or Intermittent employment
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Paid Time Off: 26 days paid annual leave (carryover up to 86 days) - 13 days paid annual sick leave (unlimited carryover) - 10 paid Federal holidays per year
• 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 and you can practice anywhere in VHA
• CME: Possible $1 -000 per year stipend + possible 1 week paid authorized absence to attend
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided
• Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting and no restrictive covenants
• Examinations-Evaluates patients by examining thoroughly
• Appropriate clinical - laboratory and other pertinent data is obtained to determine care the patient is provided
• Diagnosis--Interprets and evaluates clinical data for the purpose of determining diagnosis and clinical status
• Therapeutic Ability--Prescribes appropriate and timely treatment
• applies indicated therapeutic procedures
• recognizes and assesses changes in behavior - symptoms - signs - and other pertinent facts about the patient and modifies plan of treatment when indicated
• Recognizes own capabilities and limitations
• Effectiveness in Emergencies--The incumbent is readily available
• quick in recognizing emergency situations and taking timely necessary action
• Patient Management--Develops and maintains rapport and gains the confidence of patients and relatives through competence and interpersonal skills to the end that patients and others are informed participants in the treatment effort
• Consultations and Specialty Skills--Recognizes the need for consultation and utilizing facility or clinic specialty skills in diagnosis and treatment
• Record keeping--Physical and other examinations and changes in patient's status are promptly and completely recorded
• Unusual incidents are promptly reported to the appropriate official
• Clear - accurate - and adequate clinical records are kept current and completed at time of discharge
• The treatment plan is clearly stated
• The physician is fully knowledgeable of and utilizes the Computerized Patient Record System
• All progress notes - orders are to be completed and signed daily
• Consults Closure: Consults are required to be completed by the provider at the time patient has been seen.