Primary Care Physician

DutiesPrimary care physicians will be responsible for the delivery of primary care to patients enrolled in their panels at the Fargo VA Healthcare System. The provider will manage scheduled and unscheduled patients in the outpatient clinic setting.Primary care providers in the outpatient setting are typically assigned a panel of patients to manage. Panel size is determined by utilizing VHA PCMM software. Panel size is determined at the National level, through a complex formula which extracts local information regarding acuity of assigned patients, available support staff, number of exam rooms, etc. Each provider's panel size is specific to their practice and setting. Alternative or collateral duties may include management of a subsection of primary care patients. The subsection may be defined either by a disease status (e.g. spinal cord injury patients), or demographic status (women veterans etc). Typically, these duties are designated at the time of joining but occasionally during the course of employment, participation in special projects pertinent to the assigned section may be necessary. During the course of employment, participation in activities/committees/boards/projects may be necessary as dictated by strategic or other initiatives/taskings. Physicians may be assigned duty as a supervising or collaborating physician for a mid-level provider. Physicians are expected to provide clinical oversight and review. Supervising or collaborating responsibilities and performance will be noted in the physician's performance evaluation.Physicians are expected to act as "surrogates" for the patients of their colleagues, when one or more of their colleagues are on leave. Typical work hours are Monday to Friday 8-4.30 PM. Alternative work hours, if desired, should be agreed upon at the time of joining. Each full time provider is required to work a minimum of 80 hrs per pay period (every two weeks) unless on leave status. Primary care providers in Fargo are required to participate in extended hours clinics on a rotating basis (Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings) as per VHA directives. All physicians need to follow departmental and VHA policies for leave and attendance and will work within Title 38 appointment guidelines. Currently VHA guidelines do not permit comp time or overtime pay for physicians. However physicians who are asked to work outside their normal assigned tour of duty may request administrative leave for rest and relaxation. Leaves should be requested in advance as much as possible, and in adherence to current VHA directives, so as to minimize patient cancellations. All unscheduled absences must be properly communicated. Timely documentation is necessary in all areas in accordance with departmental policy. All administrative work should be completed in a timely fashion. Clinical reminders should be addressed as medically appropriate. Quality of care will meet professional standards at all times. All physicians will work within their privileges at all times, unless otherwise necessitated by an emergency. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): ApprovedPermanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): ApprovedEDRP Authorized: Contact, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceEducation Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. 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 complete review of the EDRP application.Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increasesPaid 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 VAInsurance: 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 territoryCME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage providedContract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlightingWork Schedule: Mon - Fri 0800 - 1630 Requirements Conditions of EmploymentU.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.Must be proficient in written and spoken English.You may be required to serve a probationary period.Subject to background/security investigation.Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.Must pass pre-employment physical examination.Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. QualificationsOur Facility: The Fargo VA Health Care System is a Level 2 Medical Center and a member of the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23. This facility combines a 39 bed medical facility along with a 38 bed Community Living Center (CLC) providing transitional care, both accredited by the Joint Commission. Fargo also has a Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits Office on campus, offering veterans the unique opportunity to obtain health care, benefits services, and Readjustment Counseling at one location. Due to the growing veteran population in our service area, ten Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) have been established. The Fargo Health Care System provides a wide spectrum of primary and tertiary acute and extended care inpatient and outpatient activities in an academic setting. The Fargo Health Care System has an active research program and has a successful affiliation with the University of North Dakota School of Medicine.About Fargo: If you're looking for variety, North Dakota has it all! The state experiences all four of the breathtaking seasons, has a growing economy, rolling farmlands, and the lowest unemployment rate in the country. The Fargo-Moorhead area is a lively, vibrant community featuring three universities, one technical/community college as well as a thriving arts scene. If you like sports, Fargo is home to the FM Redhawks (Independent Baseball Organization), the Fargo Force (USHL Hockey Team), the Red River Valley Speedway as well as the North Dakota State University Bison. We also are in close proximity to attend the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks Division I hockey games. There are an assortment of outdoor activities from which to choose - snowmobiling, ice fishing, regular fishing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, water skiing, jet skiing, swimming, hunting, tubing, canoeing, hiking, camping, & biking to name a few. For more information about Fargo check us out at or (A complete Functional Statement is available upon request)Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. (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.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. EducationDegree 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 an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are:Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted, orSchools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association for the year in which the degree was granted.For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, facility officials must verify with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) that the applicant has met requirements for certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. [If the applicant does not claim an ECFMG certificate, facility officials must still confirm that the medical school meets (or met) ECFMG eligibility requirements for the year the candidate graduated.] NOTE: The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.Additional informationThis job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.