The South Texas VA Health Care System is seeking an Associate Director for Research (AD/R) responsible for the Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC) research component. 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 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. 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). Preferred Experience: Board Certified/Board Eligible in Internal/Family Medicine; preferrably Gertiatrics. Must have extensive experience in and track records in aging/geriatrics research. Must have research training, education, or background in one of the GRECC's research foci and adequate background and resources to serve as an effective research mentor. Must be currently credentialed and privileged to provide clinical care at the VA Medical Facility and must participate in clinical activity. 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: This position may requires light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds); walking (1 hour); standing (1 hour); ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; hearing (aid permitted); mental/emotional stability; ability to perform privileges; and independently perform physical exam as appropriate to position. ["The Associate Director-Research is responsible for identifying and developing funding opportunities relevant to the GRECC's research foci, providing or engaging suitable mentoring for junior GRECC research staff identified as likely to benefit from such mentoring, serving as a role model for other GRECC investigators by actively engaging in aging research related to one or more of the GRECC's focus area(s), mentoring junior GRECC investigators and other GRECC trainees interested in enhancing their research experience and skills, serving on or designating a suitable alternative to serve on the Medical Center's Research and Development (R&D) Committee, and/or other VA or VISN leadership group(s) involved with research activities, and serves as an ex officio member of the GRECC Advisory Committee (GAS) at the discretion of the GRECC Director and Advisory Committee Chair. Provides inpatient and outpatient care, as applicable, in accordance with VA standards. Conducts research in the following areas: metabolism, genetics, gerontology, physiology, metabolomics, cellular biology. Responsible for all aspects of primary or specialty medical care provided. Serves as the point of contact for care provided to the patient, including care provided by fellow physician extenders. Conducts research in accordance with VA standards. Analyzes and interprets data and use the results of this work as the basis for generating manuscripts for publication, reports for funding agencies, papers for presentation at scientific meetings, and proposals for new funding support. Maintains accurate and complete records covering data. Demonstrates productivity by a record of sustained publications in reviewed journals and/or presents data at national meetings in area of specialty. Contributes expertise to colleagues and associates, initiating contacts and collaborative arrangements. Obtains grant funding for geriatric-related research as a Principal Investigator (Pl) or Co-Pl from National Institutes of Health (NlH), VA, and/or similar funding sources. Attends to veterans' medical, nursing, rehabilitative and psychosocial needs in a least restrictive treatment environment, which integrates clinical, research, and educational activities for the older chronically ill and functionally impaired. Incumbent conducts all professional activities and interactions with patients, families, community agencies and VA staff in a manner consistent with professional expectations. Work Schedule: Part-Time 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 provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
