Summary PLEASE READ THE COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ENSURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKET. The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center Surgical Care Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Podiatrist (Surgery-Rearfoot/Ankle). Responsibilities The Podiatrist performs podiatric surgical procedures on patients and has surgical duties that include: admissions, consultations, preoperative work ups, as well as postoperative care to correct or treat various podiatry conditions, illnesses and injuries. He/she provides evaluation and treatment of vascular, neurologic and traumatic conditions. Duties will include but are not limited to: Experience in podiatric surgery, limb salvage, forefoot, midfoot, and ankle procedures, trauma management (calcaneal, ankle, fractures, etc.), and arthroscopy. Interviews and examines patients, review past history and requests or performs diagnostic tests and examinations. Makes preliminary diagnosis; directs, prescribes or provides treatment, arranges for specialized care or patient referral as required. Actively participates in Emergency and On-Call schedule. Make notes of observations to be incorporated into clinical records. Provide comprehensive podiatric care including prevention, health maintenance, early diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up services to patients. Perform major operations of the forefoot, midfoot, rear foot and ankle, employing a high degree of technical proficiency in the modalities of fixation and plastic surgical techniques such a skin grafting and flaps. When performing these operations, is in complete charge of surgery, guiding, directing and assisting other medical officers, nurse anesthetists and nurses. Works continuously to prevent lower limb amputations and actively participates in limb salvage by aggressively treating lower extremity wounds and infections, both surgically and medically. Conduct outpatient clinics; review patients' medications, diet, course of therapy, adherence to management plan and patient observations; modify management plan as indicated; and instruct and counsel patients as required. Serve as a consultant to primary care physicians and accept referrals and outpatient consultations from other providers. Function in a teaching capacity by educating others (patients, staff, trainees, and/or seminar participants, etc.) in the assessment, treatment, management and evaluation of foot disorders. Identifies resources for patients and develops education materials and programs concerning diabetes foot wear/foot care. Refer patients to appropriate; works closely with allied health professionals; and participates in the Surgical Department Quality Assurance and Peer Review programs. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 08:00am-04:30pm. Telework: Not Available 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. Basic Requirements United States Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen. Education: Degree as a doctor of podiatric medicine, or its equivalent resulting from a course of education in podiatric medicine and surgery. The degree must have been obtained 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. License: 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. Residency: 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: 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 Other residencies and training experiences, or their equivalents, which the local medical review board determines to have provided an applicant with appropriate professional training. English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Board Certification: You must be certified by a Council on Podiatric Medical Education certification board, or other equivalent certification to grant surgical privileges. Staff Requirements: Staff Podiatrist Surgical: Should be certified by a Council on Podiatric Medical Education certification board, or other equivalent certification to grant surgical privileges. Must possess experience to perform duties as a podiatrist and surgeon, and have completed an accredited residency, and/or possess experience to perform general and surgical duties. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (14-44 lbs.) and light lifting (under 15 lbs.) Straight pulling (0.5 hour), reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands required Walking (1 hour intermittently), standing (2 hours intermittently) Ability to distinguish colors and shades of color Rapid mental and muscular coordination Near vision correctable to 13" to 16"; hearing (aid permitted) Pre-employment physical required The ideal candidate should be experienced in all aspects of clinical podiatric medicine and surgery, with a strong emphasis on limb salvage and reconstruction. 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.
