Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center's Pathology and Laboratory Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic (Pathologist). Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards - as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player.

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 allopathic 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 accrediting bodies for graduate medical education - the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - in the list published for the year the residency - or fellowship if applicable - was completed
• OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship - first year of residency - or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States
• OR (3) Non-US residency training programs 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 they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - 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
• Exceptions: 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 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
• In rare and unusual circumstances - the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer - who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience - accomplishments - performance - and qualifications warrant such action
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Board Certification: ANATOMIC AND CLINICAL PATHOLOGY Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019
• This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health
• This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs. - carrying objects up to 15 lbs. - frequent reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - hands and legs - use of cranes and motor vehicles - walking & standing up to 8 hours - bending and climbing and able to hear whisper
• The incumbent must be physically - emotionally and mentally stable in order to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT
• Eligible applicants will be referred until all vacancies are filled
• 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 providedContract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting The Physician (Pathology) duties consist - but are not limited to the following: The incumbent will be responsible for assisting in accreditation of the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) - the Joint Commission for Accreditation of HealthCare Organizations (JCAHO) and the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and the Blood Bank licensure by the food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Must have excellent general surgical pathology skills and be proficient in the use of computers
• Performance of Surgical Pathology to include: Gross review and dictation with dissection of surgical pathology specimen - selection and interpretation of routine - special and immunohistochemical stains - correlation with patient history - reporting of microscopic findings - notification of significant abnormalities to submitting physician - review of cases for operational and quality activities
• Included are intraoperative consultations (frozen sections)
• Performance of Cytological Pathology to include: performance of adequacy exam at interventional procedures - interpretation of cytology slides - correlation with patient history - reporting of microscopic findings - notification of significant abnormalities to submitting physician - review of cases for operational and quality activities
• Performance of Autopsy to include: Review of patient chart to determine areas of focus in the autopsy - prosection with assistance - request of any special cultures or stains appropriate for the autopsy - reporting of preliminary and final autopsy diagnosis
• Daily Medical supervision - oversight - and operation of the Blood bank to conform to all the accreditation and regulatory requirements of CAP - AABB & FDA organizations
• Will work with the technical supervisor of the blood bank to ensure appropriate policy and procedures are in place to achieve the above
• Presents Transfusion reports to the Patient Care Review Committee as required
• Provide technical oversight for one or more clinical laboratory sections - if required by the Chief of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service
• Other duties of the position: Performance of Educational presentations such as tumor board and Morbidity & Mortality conferences - photography of microscopic images for conferences - quality improvement activities - accreditation activities - and other services pertaining to the contemporary needs as required by the Chief of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday- 8:00am - 4:30pm(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).