Physician (Occupational Health)

July 10, 2023
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Job Description

Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

San Antonio, Texas, Texas, The South Texas VA Health Care System is currently seeking a Physician (Occupational Health) , Emergency Medicine Service to perform. delegate and oversees a wide range of clinical and administrative duties The work is performed in an office setting, or for site visits, at the workplace observing work procedures being performed. The patient population served is primarily adults working within the STVHCS. 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. Education: 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. Licensure and Registration: 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: Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR 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. Physical Requirements: See outlined below.

English Language Proficiency. Physicians appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U. S. C. § 7402(d) and 7407(d). 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: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Straight Pulling (2hrs); Pushing (4hrs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (2hrs); Standing (2hrs); Kneeling (2hrs); Repeated bending (2hrs); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Both eyes required; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Hearing (aid permitted). Mental/emotional stability. [“The Occupational Health Physician must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate applicants, employees, trainees, and volunteers served by the STVHCS Occupational Health Program.

The individual must demonstrate the skills and knowledge of the position including understanding of health hazards that can arise at work; ability to assess risks related to the health of individuals and groups; knowledge of the laws relating to workplace issues; and awareness and understanding of the way business operates. The Occupational Health Physician will work effectively within a team environment contributing to the effectiveness of the team to deliver safe, cost effective, quality, timely and patient-focused care. Physicians will be expected to be able to work well with other providers (to include consulting and admitting services), nursing staff, administrative support staff, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, social work staff, Service Chiefs, administrative personnel including Human Resources Management Service staff, legal staff, workers’ compensation program staff, police management, and various other management personnel. Physicians should sustain collaborative working relationships, assist in resolving conflict, and contribute to the accomplishment of VISN and Medical Center strategic goals and performance measures. He/she oversees the occupational health functions at STVHCS which includes the ALMD; the Kerrville Division; the various outpatient clinics including Victoria, Northwest Health Care Center, North-Central Federal Clinic, and South Bexar; and Vet Centers. The OHP will provide overall direction to the Occupational Health Clinic and its staff. The OHP demonstrates leadership in the Occupational health program and demonstrates the ability to work effectively between the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), the VA Canteen Service, and the VA National Cemetery Administration (NCA), as well as interacting with various public health entities both locally (San Antonio Metropolitan Health District), regionally (Texas Dept. of Health), and nationally (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). The OHP will performing or overseeing: history and physical examinations for a wide range of clinical and administrative situations including evaluation and treatment of workplace related injuries;determination of work status and necessary restrictions for injured or ill employees; duty fitness evaluations; medical surveillance for OSHA and for other agency-regulated potential exposures (e. g.

, hearing conservation, asbestos medical surveillance, motor vehicle operator/driver, laser exposure, tuberculosis surveillance, respiratory protection, etc. ) including occupational exposure for workers performing animal research, and readiness evaluations for the DEMPS (Disaster Emergency Medical Personnel System); evaluations of all personnel with potential blood-borne pathogen exposure; pre-placement for VHA, participating in exposure investigations including being the subject matter expert for employee status regarding potential outbreak investigations and working closely with Infection Control; ordering of appropriate diagnostic studies; 3 evaluation of appropriate diagnostic studies; preliminary interpretation of radiographs and EKGs; reviewing outside medical evaluations for completeness and appropriateness pre-placement (as the Agency Medical Officer), worker compensation (agency medical exams), return to duty evaluations, and as requested by Human Resources Management Services (HRMS), clarification of medical support documentation for the Family and Medical Leave Act. The incumbent acts within the guidelines and quality indicators set forth by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the VA Occupational Health Services Handbook, and the STVHCS occupational health policies. Contributing as a member of various agency committees and being responsible for reporting data and/or offering medical opinion to the Accident Review Board, the Environment of Care Committee, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Construction Safety Committee, and the Infection Control Committee. Functioning as resource and medical subject matter expert to the Human Resources Management Service on medical matters concerning employees. Functioning as a Medical Review Officer for STVHCS (if s/he has had adequate training, credentials, and appropriate certification). Interacting with the Wellness coordinator for the STVHCS and being responsible to medically support the Employee Smoking Cessation program as requested. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday (8:00 a. m. – 4:30 p.

m. ) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. ”]

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