Summary

The Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Service serves as the administrative and clinical Section Chief for Pathology and Laboratory Service and is responsible for the overall operation of the Service Line at the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VATVCBHCS). A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual. Podiatrists should apply to announcement CAZM-12819855-26-JMS

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
• 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
• License: 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
• English Language Proficiency: Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: At least three years of post-residency diagnostic experience in pathology and laboratory medicine - including surgical pathology - cytology - and clinical pathology
• At least 50 Anatomical pathology cases signed out in the last 2 years
• Current certification in both anatomic pathology and clinical pathology by the American Board of Pathology
• Experience as a laboratory service chief / medical director - an assistant service chief / assistant medical director - or other managerial role - preferably in VA or the Department of Defense
• Working knowledge of laboratory budgetary requirements - fiscal planning - workload projections - and productivity measures
• Working knowledge of laboratory regulations and preparation for accreditation surveys - e.g. - College of American Pathologists - The Joint Commission - OIG - CARF
• At least 2 years post graduate experience in the VA - or Department of Defense
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds
• Light lifting - under 15 pounds
• Light carrying - under 15 pounds
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (6 hours)
• Standing (6 hours)
• Both legs required
• Both eyes required
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid may be permitted)
• Mental/emotional stability
• Ability to perform privileges
• Independently performs physical exams as appropriate.

Duties

• This is an Open Continuous Announcement & will remain open until December 08 - 2025 - or until all positions are filled
• The first cut-off date is November 6 - 2025
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
• Applicants will remain active for 3 months after their initial application is received and/or updated
• After that time - you must update your application through your USAJobs account if you would like to be made active again for possible consideration during the open period
• --- The position oversees clinical operations with responsibility for quality outcomes and patient safety
• Administrative functions will include - but not be limited to - budget and fiscal management - human resource management - strategic planning - and program development
• The Chief assures that the clinical and administrative functions are integrated in order to provide optimum utilization of available resources
• The position ensures the quality and timeliness of the services provided - including customer satisfaction - as well as compliance with standards of accrediting bodies such as The Joint Commission - CAP - OIG - etc
• The position ensures appropriate use of available resources and is responsible for inspiring - motivating - and guiding the VATVCBHCS Path & Lab staff in achieving the strategic goals and plans of the service
• The position collaborates with other management officials within the VATVCBHCS in a collegial manner with the aim of furthering the mission of the VHA
• The Chief of Path & Lab functions as a provider in the pathology specialty - collaborates with referring providers - optimizes timeliness - and ensures quality
• The Chief of Path & Lab accomplishes the health care delivery mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs in general
• Services provided are subject to close scrutiny by Congressional interests - service organizations - the general public and the media
• The Chief of Path & Lab is to be a physician - board certified by the American Board of Pathologists - and should hold an unrestricted state medical license within the United States or its territories
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 0800 - 1630 Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) or Relocation Incentive: May be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual
• 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