Physician (Anesthesiology)

Orlando VA Healthcare System's Anesthesiology Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Anesthesiologist. 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 who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center.

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:

• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States.
• 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 & 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 an Anesthesiology Residency Training Program, 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); 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. NOTE: 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.
• Board Certification: Board Certification in Anesthesiology is required.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(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.

Preferred Experience: Fellow-training/certification in critical care medicine. Flexible to cover both anesthesia and critical care services as requested by the facility.

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. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. Potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. Must be physically, emotionally and mentally competent and able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to yourself or others.

Responsibilities:

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 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.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.
Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Authorized- Contact the VISN 8 Compensation Center of Excellence at VISN8CCOE@va.gov if you have any questions or concerns. Learn more.
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

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Administering anesthesia to patients rendering them insensitive to pain during surgery/procedures
• Providing continuous and vigilant monitoring of the patient's physical response to the anesthetic, sedatives, analgesics, and related anesthetic agents
• Maintaining excellence in endotracheal intubation and extubation, airway management, and be skilled in the usage of all various airway adjuncts
• Making reasonable anesthetic plans for patients with severe comorbidities
• Performing appropriate credentialed techniques of the anesthetic plan such as, but not limited to, insertion of intravenous lines, arterial lines, central lines, insertion of other invasive monitoring catheters, regional anesthesia, and TEE
• Interpretation of arterial blood gases, EKG,s and all relevant pre, intra, and postoperative laboratory results
• Performing pre-anesthetic evaluation of the patients
• Managing the anesthesia process to include induction, maintenance, and emergence from general, regional, monitored anesthesia cases, and satellite anesthesia care
• Managing postoperative pain needs for any anesthetized patient
• Recognizing abnormal patient responses and to initiate corrective measures
• Determining the need for additional laboratory tests
• Providing resuscitative care as necessary
• Evaluating and managing the patient in the immediate post-operative period
• Administering IV fluids relative to the patient's medical history and surgical procedure.
• Administering blood products and monitor for adverse responses
• Appropriately document the patient status in the anesthesia record
• Teaching and evaluating residents and students
• Assumes responsibility and accountability for controlled substances according to department and hospital policy, as well as state and federal guidelines, etc.

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).