Career Center

Summary

The organizational location of the position is Harlingen - TX. The pulmonologist provides comprehensive care for patients who have illnesses within the scope of pulmonary medicine/sleep spectrum as noted in privileges granted. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified individual.

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: Completion of accredited residency and fellowship training in pulmonary and sleep medicine
• At least five years' experience in diagnosis and treatment of patient population with Pulmonary or Sleep conditions
• Board certified in Pulmonary & Sleep medicine Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds
• Moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• Straight pulling (2-3 hours)
• Pulling hand over hand (2-3 hours)
• Pushing (2-3 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (2-3 hours)
• Standing (2-3 hours)
• Kneeling (2-3 hours)
• Repeated bending (4-6 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid may be permitted)
• Sitting (6-8 hours)
• Ability to work in low light/dark conditions as required
• Work in front of a computer 6-8 hours/day.

Duties

• This is an Open Continuous Announcement & will remain open until May 15 - 2026 - or until all positions are filled
• The first cut-off date is December 18 - 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 Pulmonologist is responsible for patient care - patient/family education and participation in any indicated clinical research in pulmonary medicine
• The pulmonologist provides comprehensive care for patients who have illnesses within the scope of pulmonary medicine/sleep spectrum as noted in privileges granted
• The Scope of these activities covers all phases of ambulatory care
• Other responsibilities may include education of medical students and residents and/or supervision of other providers
• Most of the pulmonologist's time is devoted to patient care and education - with the remaining time set aside for performance improvement activities - creative research to improve patient care - activities sufficient to maintain proficiency in state-of-the-art pulmonary care
• Care will be provided to any CBOC within VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend HCS (VCB) - and some travel may be required to meet the needs at the various sites of VCB
• Administrative Documents care provided in the computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) in accordance with VCB Health Care System requirement
• Documents the detailed - targeted - initial history and physical examination required for evaluation in the electronic tools(s) required by VA
• Obtains consent and documents procedures performed for which the pulmonary specialist is responsible
• Provides education and counseling of patients and families in preventative care - medical conditions - and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs
• Reviews and revises policies and scope of practice/standards of operation to meet the needs of the National VA and VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System mandates
• Reviews and guides protocols in chronic patient managements including coordinating efforts with prosthetics department to meet patient's needs and maintain fiscal responsibility
• Clinical Writes medical orders and prescriptions for non-controlled and controlled substances - as necessary - for the care of the patient in accordance with Federal and State law
• Responds to and completes consults received for the evaluation of pulmonary and sleep - including: Performs a comprehensive - detailed - targeted - initial history and physical examination in compliance with national guidelines
• Orders diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests - X-rays - PFTs - electrocardiograms (EKG's) and other tests
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (Full Time) - 0800-1630 Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) or Relocation Incentive: May be authorized for 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