Summary

West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is seeking a 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. Physician will be accountable to the Chief of Medicine assuring the most effective delivery of care in pulmonary/critical care/sleep services.

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.

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 (PULMONARY DISEASES OR CRITICAL CARE)
• (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
• Preferred Experience: BOARD CERTIFICATION IN PULMONARY DISEASES OR CRITICAL CARE PREFERRED
• Reference: VA Regulations - specifically VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard
• This can be found in the local Human Resources Office
• Physical Requirements: Functional requirements may include walking (2 hours) - standing (2 hours) - kneeling (2 hours) - repeated bending (2 hours) - climbing - use of legs and arms - both eyes required - depth perception - ability to distinguish basic colors - hearing (aid may be permitted) - emotional and mental stability.

Duties

• NOTE: JOB CLOSING DATE HAS BEEN EXTENDED FROM 3/5/2025
• The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is located just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean on a 69 acre site in beautiful Palm Beach County
• The Medical Center and its 6 community based outreach clinics serve approximately 65 -000 Veterans in the southeast Florida region
• The main facility has a total of 171 operating beds including 25 acute psychiatric and 120 long-term beds - and a high volume ambulatory care program
• Whether you enjoy exploring the local beaches and miles of waterways or just relaxing at your favorite waterfront restaurant - there's something for everyone in this vibrant community
• Come join our team today! VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• 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 In conjunction with the Surgical or Medical attending physician and other consultants - the Pulmonologist/Intensivist (PI) directs the care of all patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
• The PI provides continuous vigilance - early intervention - and ongoing care with the goal to decrease ICU related morbidity and mortality
• In addition - the PI proactively communicates with the other members of the team to assure optimal results
• The PI also provides outpatient and inpatient consultation services for pulmonary and sleep patients during dedicated clinic and inpatient time - as well as provides reading of Sleep Studies - including home sleep studies
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Perform and/or supervise procedures including central line placement - intubation - bronchoscopy - EBUS - thoracentesis and others as required
• Examine and evaluate each patient for admission to the ICU and notify the admitting physician of assessment and recommendations
• Perform and document subsequent evaluation of all patients in the ICU on daily rounds once every twenty-four hours and as needed
• Respond to all cardiac and respiratory arrests in the ICU - assuming the role of the Code Team Leader
• Sign out to the oncoming physician to assure an informed transition of care
• Complete off-duty summary notes when leaving ICU service
• Participate in patient care rounds daily with the charge nurse - pharmacy - dietary - case management - respiratory care - pastoral care ICU nursing staff
• Perform outpatient Consultations in Pulmonary Clinic (8 to 15 patients per day)
• Provide inpatient Pulmonary Consultations
• May admit ICU patients critically ill with pulmonary diseases and/or requiring assisted ventilation
• Performs the administrative components of patient care management - such as: Will be actively involved in teaching residents and students - and will periodically direct Noon Conferences for their didactic training
• Participate in the educational programs for the critical care unit personnel as well as the medical staff
• Participate in monitoring the quality - safety and appropriateness of patient care
• Attend ICU Committee meetings
• Develop/update ICU policies and procedures
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 a.m
• - 4:30 p.m
• (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor
• The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs).