Duties
This is an open continuous announcement that will remain open until filled. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Eligible applicants will be referred each week for consideration until a selection is made.
This position also assists in the direction and coordination of clinical and programmatic activities related to Employee/Occupational Health, Environmental Registry (including Burn Pit, Agent Orange, Persian Gulf, and Gulf War Exams), and Compensation and Pension services. All clinical care is provided within the physician's approved clinical privileges.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.
Recruitment / Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized for highly qualified applicants
Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN8CCOE@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
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.
The incumbent's primary responsibilities for Occupational Employee Health and Compensation and Pension (C&P) include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Primarily responsible for evaluations pertaining to C&P examinations requested by the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA).
- Perform comprehensive medical evaluations of Veterans seeking disability benefits.
- Review Veterans' medical history, service treatment records, and claims-related documentation.
- Conduct structured physical examinations according to VA guidelines and protocols.
- Document objective findings, clinical impressions, and required diagnostic testing.
- Complete Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) to assess the severity and impact of claimed conditions.
- Provide medical opinions regarding service connection, aggravation, and functional impairment.
- Ensure thorough, accurate, and timely documentation in the electronic health record.
- Maintain familiarity with VA regulations, rating criteria, and C&P policies.
- Communicate findings in clear, concise reports for use by VA adjudication staff.
- Attend ongoing training and quality assurance reviews to ensure compliance and best practices.
- Collaborate with other VA staff as needed regarding complex cases or clarifications.
- Remain impartial and objective throughout the evaluation process.
- Documents in report format utilizing CPRS and/or CAPRI technology per standards acceptable to VBA and DMA.
- Maintains all mandatory training specific to operation as a C&P clinician.
Occupational health and employee health experience and certification preferred. Primary care, urgent care, emergency medicine or equivalent clinical background / experience preferred.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.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.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- 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).
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
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. (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.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Preferred experience
- 1 yr experience performing Compensation and pension exams
- Knowledge of the process/procedure for Disability and Medical Assessment (DMA) Compensation and Pension (C&P) Disability examinations
Board certified or board eligible in Internal Medicine, Family Practice or Emergency medicine. Occupational health, MRO and CDL certifications preferred, but not required. DMA (Disability and Medical Assessment) certified to do Compensation and Pension Examinations preferred but not required at time of hire.
Occupational health and employee health experience and certification preferred. Primary care, urgent care, emergency medicine or equivalent clinical background / experience preferred.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Meets the needs of customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately
Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills in an inter-professional environment.
Age, Development and Cultural Needs of Patients
Takes into consideration "age-related" differences of the various veteran populations with this institution which include a) Young adulthood (20-40). People in general have normal physical functions and lifestyles but may have been impacted by exposure to combat arenas with resultant physical and psychosocial impairments. Stress related conditions with associated intra-personal relationship impairments may be present. Concerning job opportunities, lifestyle changes and future relationships may be present. b) Middle age (40-65). People may have developed physical problems and may have changes in lifestyles because of chronic disease, long standing injuries, or emotional traumas. Career change and family dynamics may be impacting this cohort. c) older adulthood (65-75). People may be adapting to retirement and changing physical abilities. Chronic illness may further develop leading to disability and adaptation to illness. d) Middle old (74-84). People may be adapting to declines in speed of movement, reaction time, and sensory abilities. Also, people may have increased dependence on others; e) Old (85 and over). Increasing physical problems may develop, including memory disturbances.
COMPUTER SECURITY
Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHS&RA policy. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. The following are applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in the computer access agreement that the employee signs. Ensures proper chain of custody for the various paper records (C files) and other documents pertaining to this role.
SAFETY and WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment involves everyday risks of discomforts, which require safety precautions typical of hospitals, offices, and meeting rooms. Work includes working closely with others. There may be occasional risk of physical harm from a violent resident/patient that may require special precautions and training to deal with.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands of the work require the use of fingers, reaching above shoulder, prolong standing (6-8 hrs.), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Hearing aid use is permitted.
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.
Education
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 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, or
- Schools 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 information
This 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.
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.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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 benefits
Eligibility 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 evaluated
You 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.