Physician Gastroenterologist (Education Debt Reduction Authorized)

The gastroenterologist is responsible for seeing patients in consultation in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Patients seen in GI Consult Clinic are evaluated and treated by the gastroenterologist for disorders such as GERD/dyspepsia dysphagia/non-cardiac chest pain irritable bowel syndrome pancreatitis/pancreatic insufficiency chronic liver disease (not viral hepatitis) chronic diarrhea constipation and inflammatory bowel disease. The gastroenterologist is responsible to provide endoscopies and procedures to include colonoscopy sigmoidoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Performance of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is desirable but not required. Other duties include responding to patient telephone calls informing patients of test/lab results renewing medication prescriptions giving telephone or e-mail advice to other providers and administrative duties if any.

The incumbent is responsible for entering accurate complete timely progress notes for each episode of care in the patients electronic record. This is accomplished by utilizing the Electronic Medical Record System (EMR).

The incumbent is responsible for the proper use maintenance and calibration of specialized equipment used in the assessment and care of patients.

The incumbent adheres to safety health and infection control standards regulations and work practices as well as ergonomic standards. He/she reports any unsafe conditions to supervisor and/or appropriate officials.

The incumbent assists in orientation of new staff and will provide patient and family education including informed consent.
The incumbent maintains supplies equipment and clinical areas to optimize safety and efficiency.

He/she demonstrates knowledge and maintains standards in the use and reprocessing of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME).

The gastroenterologist is expected to participate in performance improvement activities disaster preparedness administrative duties and other responsibilities assigned by the Chief of Surgery.

STANDARDS OF CARE:
The gastroenterologist is to practice in accordance with VA guidelines; Fargo Health Care System policies/procedures; medical staff bylaws rules and regulations; and in accordance with current Joint Commission standards.

PRACTICE
The incumbent considers age of the patient when performing health care as it relates to functional capacity/limitations ability to understand and follow directions provide objective self assessment of past medical condition and treatment appropriate to the overall treatment goals and plans.

The employee possesses knowledge of growth and development has the ability to assess and interpret age-related data and is able to communicate based on age related issues.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The incumbent reports to the Chief of General Surgery Surgical Care ICC.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized for highly qualified candidates.
Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval award amount (up to $200000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact 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 $1000 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

Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 0800 - 1630

Education and length of practice are considered through a formal pay-setting process to determine the final compensable salary (Base Pay Market Pay)

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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers 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: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) b) 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.
  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.