Summary VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System is looking for a Chief of Podiatry to join our team. VA CWM is an out-patient health care system that serves 30,000 Veterans and provides Podiatry clinics in Northampton, Springfield, and Worcester. The Chief of Podiatry provides leadership for out-patient clinical services, supervises Podiatrists at three clinical sites, and runs clinic in Northampton. There is no surgery, no call, no nights or weekend work. Responsibilities Podiatry is the health care profession that specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of foot and ankle conditions through medical and surgical means. The Chief of Podiatry position is 70% clinical with clinics at the Leeds campus and 30% administrative for supervisory duties, maintenance of the Prevention of Amputation in Veterans Everywhere (PAVE) program, and compliance with any directives and programs assigned to Podiatry The Chief of Podiatry will assign work, provide administrative direction, approve time and leave, and acts as the rating official for proficiency reports including Pay for Performance for all providers under their supervision. The Chief of Specialty Care acts as the approving official for proficiency reports. The Chief of Podiatry is responsible for the implementation of any Directives or taskings as assigned and for utilizing resources across the facility and VHA to improve and expand podiatry services at VA CWM. Oversight is provided by the Chief of Specialty Care. To be effective in this role, the incumbent is responsible for maintaining professional, clinical, administrative, and interpersonal communication competencies associated with the position. Complete history and physical examination with an emphasis on diagnosis and foot/ankle pathology, and identification of related systemic conditions. Complete medical management of podiatric pathology Prescription of pharmaceuticals and therapeutic devices, (orthotics, prosthetic devices, plaster casts, immobilization devices, etc.) Appropriate consultation, referral and co-management of patients with complicating systemic conditions, and Health promotion and disease prevention. In the absence of a podiatry resident program, the Chief of Podiatry is responsible for coordination and supervision of residents of other specialties rotating through podiatry and medical student, and other learners This position is a AFGE Bargaining Unit position VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00am to 4:30pm) Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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 Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Podiatrist Basic Requirements 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~ 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~ 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: VA and Podiatry leadership experience preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: May be subjected to light lifting, under 15 pounds, Light carrying, under 15 pounds, reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, walking, standing and repeated bending. Education 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.
