Physician Clinical Pathology Section Chief

MAJOR DUTIES:

CALL AND COVERAGE ASSIGNMENT: The Pathologists are on a regular rotational schedule to take call for Clinical addition the Service Section Chief will always be reachable during call as agreed upon with chief PLMS unless on personal leave at which time he/she will appoint a designee to provide coverage. This position is not supervisory.

The role of the P&LMS physician may also include but shall not be limited to the following:

• Contributes to the operation of effective and safe laboratories that are in compliance with standards established by the College of American Pathology (CAP) the Joint Commission (TJC) the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) VACO and the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB).
• Ensures accurate clinical laboratory test results with turn-around-times (TAT) that meet the reasonable and possible expectations of the Medical staff and accrediting agencies when adequately supported with necessary resources from administration and human resources. Performance of the clinical laboratory is monitored continuously and results recorded in the Quality Assurance (QA) minutes.
• The Section Chief Chemistry and Toxicology selects the analytical methods and instruments used for testing in his/her area of responsibilities currently including automated and manual chemistry immunochemistry electrophoresis blood gases automated urinalysis urine microscopy Hgb A1c testing vitamin D analysis by LC - tandem mass spectrometry urine drugs of abuse screening by immunoassay and urine drugs of abuse confirmation by LC- tandem mass spectrometry. Additional sections under the medical directorship of the Section Chief Chemistry Toxicology are Point of Care testing (POCT) phlebotomy accessioning and sendout (fee basis) testing.
• The Section Chief directs performance of required method validation studies according to regulatory requirements for all methods in his/her section and documents the results of those studies as required. He/she accepts all new analytical methods and testing instruments for clinical use. He also develops with the section technical supervisor the necessary policies and procedures for his sections. He/she approves policies and procedures along with the necessary training checklists for all sections under his directorship.
• He/she is responsible for quality control quality assurance and proficiency testing in his sections. The Section Chief develops corrective action as needed based on the findings of these activities.
• The Section Chief Chemistry Toxicology is responsible for Point of Care testing (POCT) at the ECHCS and works with the POCT Coordinator to assure availability of POCT for clinical use. He/she is responsible for regulatory compliance for all POCT at ECHCS including the VA Hospital and CBOCs.
• The Section Chief Chemistry Toxicology also serves as the medical director of phlebotomy accessioning and send out (fee basis) sections of the laboratory.
• The Section Chief Chemistry Toxicology serves as the Course Director for the Chemistry rotation for pathology residents at Denver this role he/she develops and presents Clinical Chemistry lectures to residents on his rotation and supervises residents while on the service.
• Promotes an effective balanced relationship with academic affiliates that results in a joint and mutually advantageous partnership. Ensures communication and coordination between the laboratory services and the clinical services.
• Participates in the Laboratory Quality Improvement (QI) Plan in collaboration with the VA ECHCS program addressing appropriate and practical QI needs as indicated by accreditation internal and external sources. Serves a PLMS- Clinical services Liaison.

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.

• Must be board certified in Clinical Pathology

• Experience/certification in Chemistry & Toxicology