Summary The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System, is seeking a Podiatrist (Chief, Geriatrics and Extended Care Service) responsible for the overall operation of the Geriatrics and Extended Care Service, whose mission is to provide a continuum of quality care to our Veterans in the area of Geriatrics. Responsibilities The Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) Chief oversees all administrative aspects of Geriatrics and Extended Care Service, to include but not limited to budget and fiscal management, human resource management, strategic planning, and program development, assuring that the clinical and administrative functions are integrated in order to provide optimum utilization of the available resources. The incumbent ensures the quality and timeliness of the services provided, customer satisfaction, as well as compliance with standards of accrediting bodies such as the Joint Commission and the Inspector General's Combined Assessment Program. He/she is responsible for appropriate use of available resources as well as for inspiring, motivating, and guiding Geriatrics and Extended Care Service staff in achieving the strategic goals and plans of the Service. The incumbent collaborates with other Service Chiefs and program managers in fulfilling their responsibilities. The Geriatrics and Extended Care Service Chief will also function as a provider in their specialty. The incumbent will be responsible for the overall medical care of patients with conditions requiring treatment in their specialty to include consultative, prescriptive and ordering authority in the outpatient/ambulatory basic setting at the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System. He/she ensures the quality and timeliness of the services provided and collaborates with referring providers. The Geriatrics and Extended Care Service Chief accomplishes the health care delivery mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs in general. Services provided are subject to scrutiny by Congressional interests, service organizations, the general public and the media. The Geriatrics and Extended Care Service Chief is to be a physician, board certified or board eligible in their specialty, having completed an appropriate residency or fellowship. Certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support is required. Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification is recommended. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) Telework: As determined by the agency policy. (Ad-Hoc) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Requirements Conditions of Employment All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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 Basic Requirements: Education: Degree as a doctor of podiatric medicine, or its equivalent, from a school of podiatric medicine approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Approved schools are United States schools of podiatric medicine approved by the Council on Podiatry Education of the American Podiatry Association in the year in which the degree was granted. ~AND~ Training: Completed, or currently completing, residency training, or its equivalent, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. VA Podiatrists involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status. Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education, the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, in the list published for the year the residency was completed, or (2) Other residencies and training experiences, or their equivalents, which the local Professional Standards Board determines to have provided an applicant with appropriate professional training. ~AND~ Licensure: Currently hold, or will hold, a full and unrestricted license to practice Podiatry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia. Preferred Experience: Board Certified/Board eligible Geriatrics or sub-specialty or fellowship. 3-5 years of professional supervisory and Service Level Chief experience in VA or the Department of Defense. Advanced skills to provide a full range of evaluation to determine the @type of degree of illnesses within the specialty scope. Advanced skill and knowledge of contemporary Specialty practice. Working knowledge of Geriatrics Service budgetary requirements, fiscal planning, workload projections, and productivity measures. Working knowledge of regulations and preparation for accreditation surveys, e.g., the Joint Commission, OIG, CARF. Advanced skill in providing leadership and accountability of all aspects of the service in support of the mission and values of the health care system. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; light carrying, under 15 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Walking (1hrs); Standing (2hrs); Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental/ Emotional Stability. Education Applicants must possess a doctor of podiatric medicine degree, or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in podiatric medicine and surgery. 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. (1) Approved schools are United States schools of podiatric medicine and surgery, approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatry Medical Association in the year in which the degree was granted. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
