Summary

The Battle Creek VA Medical Center (BCVAMC) is seeking a dedicated and highly skilled Urgent Care Physician (UCP) to join our growing Urgent Care team. The UCP provides comprehensive - high-quality urgent clinical care to Veterans while contributing to departmental leadership - systems redesign initiatives - and collaborative interdisciplinary work. This position supports the mission of the Veterans Health Administration by ensuring exceptional - Veteran-centered care across all BCVAMC sites.

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
• Additional Requirement: ACLS and BLS certifications are required
• Preferred Experience: Experience in urgent care or emergency department settings
• - Demonstrated competence in higher-acuity practice
• - Experience working with interdisciplinary teams
• - Prior VA experience preferred but not required
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Duties

• Battle Creek - MI - known as \"Cereal City -\" is located in Calhoun County off I-94 - midway between Chicago and Detroit
• The city has a rich history and promising future in food brands - research - and training - being home to Kellogg Company's world headquarters and other significant corporations like Post Cereals - Ralcorp - and Duncan Aviation
• The city is revitalizing its downtown for food science and innovation industries
• Moreover - Battle Creek offers affordable living with a cost of living significantly lower than the national average
• It has 26 neighborhoods with diverse housing options - a linear park with 26 miles of trails - and a variety of dining and shopping venues
• With homes selling quickly and options for different budgets - the city is ideal for starting a career - raising a family - or retiring - thanks to its strong community and natural beauty
• 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 Major Duties and Responsibilities Clinical Duties - Independently evaluate and manage Veterans presenting to Urgent Care
• - Perform comprehensive history - physical examinations - diagnostic evaluations - and clinical decision-making
• - Treat and stabilize emergent and acute conditions such as myocardial infarction - chest pain - CHF - stroke - seizures - altered mental status - dyspnea - COPD exacerbations - pulmonary embolism - pneumonia - COVID-19 - pain syndromes - UTI - fractures - musculoskeletal injuries - lacerations - and minor trauma
• - Order - interpret - and act upon diagnostic tests including labs - EKGs - x-rays - and review radiologist-interpreted CT/MRI/ultrasound studies
• - Determine appropriateness of transfer to community hospitals for higher-level care
• - Provide consultative support to Primary Care clinicians for acute and urgent medical concerns
• - Collaborate with In-Patient Mental Health medical APPs on chronic disease management - acute illness - rounding - documentation review - and clinical oversight
• - Provide medical emergency support across all BCVAMC physical locations when assigned as Medical Officer of the Day (MOD)
• - Provide clinical oversight and participate in peer review activities
• - Collaborate with Nurse Practitioners - Physician Assistants - and Supervise Resident Physicians as assigned
• - Maintain timely - accurate encounters - notes - and reports in accordance with policy
• - On-site presence is required
• telework is not authorized
• Quality of Care - Maintain professional competence through FPPE - OPPE - credentialing - privileging - and quality improvement activities
• - Deliver care aligned with Joint Commission and VHA standards
• - Support Performance Improvement and Quality Management initiatives
• - Stay current on clinical trends - evidence-based practices - and specialty-specific protocols
• serve as a resource to clinical staff
• Administrative Duties - Participate in quality improvement activities and systems redesign projects
• - Attend monthly staff meetings and other medical center committees as assigned
• - Contribute to departmental process improvements and operational planning
• - Participate in disaster/surge event backup call schedules
• rare overnight coverage may be required
• Education and Research - Maintain professional development through continuing education and independent learning
• - Participate in clinical research programs when appropriate
• - Supervise medical trainees assigned to Urgent Care - including Medical Residents and other trainees
• - Follow all VA policies and regulations governing research
• participation is optional
• Supervisory Controls The UCP functions within the Urgent Care department and reports to the Associate Chief of Staff for Medical Services
• The physician exercises independent clinical judgment commensurate with training and privileges and collaborates with clinical and administrative leadership
• Assignments may be supervisor-directed or arise from patient care needs
• Work is reviewed for effectiveness - quality - and timely completion
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00 a.m
• - 4:30 p.m
• Schedule may change based on facility needs - occasional overnight coverage during emergencies may be required.