Seeking Rheumatology Physician for an Excellent VA Opportunity in Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System (OCVAHCS) is actively recruiting a board certified, board eligible full-time permanent hospital employed Rheumatology physician to join our Section of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy. The Rheumatology Physician is accountable to the Chief of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy service. We are recruiting a highly qualified and equally motivated rheumatologist, who is fellowship trained in Rheumatology. The Rheumatologist participates in clinic duties managing complex rheumatology/arthritis patients including but not limited to those treated for OA, rheumatoid arthritis, primary and secondary fibromyalgia, Gout/Pseudogout, Polymyalgia rheumatica, sclerodenna, Sjogren's syndrome, systematic lupus erythematous, Reiter's syndrome/reactive arthritis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, septic arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and vasculitis. Duties include:

1. Obtaining history, physical exam, ordering and interpreting tests such as X-rays, MRIs, DEXA.
2. Order and interpret specialty laboratory/serologic evaluations including but not limited to rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP, Antinuclear body (ANA) panel, HLA-B27, uric acid levels, inflammation markers, QuantiFERON TB, acute and chronic hepatitis panel, Culture& Susceptibility, crystal examination, cell count of synovial fluid.
3. Prescribing complex medications that require lab monitoring including but not limited to DMARDs and biologics.
4. Ordering infusion medications such as rituximab and coordinating with infusion clinic for patient care.
5. Diagnosis, assessment, and medications unique to this population.
6. Titration of specialty medications.
7. Coordinate and initiate non-Formulary requests.
8. Performing Medicine Reconciliation and review per VHA protocol.
9. Ordering diagnostic studies and other special tests such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI),
10. Computerized Tomography (CT scans), DEXA scans, and X-RAYs and provide preliminary results.
11. Ordering and obtaining laboratory specimen including studies that are unique to both pulmonary and rheumatology services.
12. Ordering ancillary services, such as not limited to pharmacy, social services, physical therapy and rehabilitation services, prosthetics, orthotics, and specialty clinical services.
13. Ordering patient care supplies including but not limited to braces, splints, slings and prosthetics.
14. Performing intra-articular joint injections in rheumatology and injection clinic, this includes obtaining consent as well as documenting non-operating procedure notes.
15. Intercommunity and inter-facility referrals are often made to physical therapy, occupational therapy, orthotics, prosthetics, etc.
16. Coordinate with primary care with Muskogee and Fayetteville VAMC to obtain labs and radiographic studies for ongoing care with patients located in these regions, follow up these results and continue with ongoing care.
17. Ordering and monitoring of labs while on rheumatology medication to ensure there is no adverse side effects.
18. Screening patients in rheumatology for osteoporosis, calculating DEXA scores, promoting bone health.
19. Coordinate clinic flow and patient access, including expedited exams and assessments, and will assist fellows with their overbook patients.
20. Evaluate, assess, and provide discussion and education for testing alerting veterans/caregivers and securing additional follow up, evaluations, and new treatment plans to enhance continuity of care.

The OCVAMC is located in Oklahoma City, OK and is the Flagship for the Oklahoma VA Health Care System (OCVAHCS) - a Joint Commission accredited, referral level 1b (medium complexity) facility. The staff serves patients across the spectrum of inpatient and outpatient care for more than 70,000 veterans in an area that includes 48 counties in Oklahoma and 2 counties in North Central Texas. Join a department that is expanding the clinical area to better serve veteran patients!

Work Schedule

Full-time, Monday-Friday 08:00-4:30

U.S. Citizens receive preference; non-U.S. Citizens may be considered.

Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the U.S.

Board Certified in Rheumatology preferred, but Board Eligibility may also be considered. Additional board certification in Internal Medicine is preferred.

The starting pay is $250,000 - $320,000 per year.

• A recruitment incentive will be offered, and there is the potential for an annual performance bonus of up to $15,000.
• Retirement: Federal Retirement Plan through the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) - A three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits; 2) FERS-FRAE basic benefits (pension); and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan, with up to 5% government matching contributions
• Eligible for Education Debt Repayment Program. (EDRP)
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives available.
• 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)
• 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 restrictions on moonlighting
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives available
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Community Information

Welcome to Oklahoma, the sooner state! Scenic beauty, a moderate climate, a culture rich in history and the arts, and world-class sports and recreational opportunities make Oklahoma an exceptional place to live and do business. Combine that with quality health care, top universities, a low-cost and quality standard of living, it's easy to see why most people who live here never want to leave. Oklahoma is ideal for your inner adventurer if you enjoy live music and nightlife, different foods, short drive time during the rush hour, and different parks. Oklahoma is home to 32 state parks to explore and lots more. Oklahoma is ranked the number one city park in the nation according to USA Today, and the second most affordable state to live in. You will enjoy a very affordable standard of living and affordable housing, either for investment purposes or otherwise. Oklahoma is ranked a top 10 city for entrepreneurs and, as a growing state, Oklahoma has a lot of amazing opportunities to tap from. The standard of living and peace of mind that comes with Oklahoma is simply unbelievable, giving you the opportunity to spend time with family while saving money. 

I highly encourage you to consider VA employment in Oklahoma. We offer both a mission you can put your heart into by taking care of our veterans, and a home for fun, new experiences, whether you’re interested in exploring one of the many mountains climbing, hiking, biking, boating, camping, fishing, hunting, canoeing, horseback riding and many more.

Paid Time Off:

• 26 Days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave
• 13 Days paid sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation
• 11 Federal holidays with pay annually
• 5 Days paid absence to attend approved CME courses

Insurance:

• Health Insurance: VA employees have an outstanding number of health insurance plans from which to choose (premiums are partially paid by VA) Lifetime Healthcare Insurance options available
• Dental & Vision: Our insurance options also include exceptional vision and dental plans (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• VA employees have the option to use Flexible Spending Accounts, which allow you to use tax-free dollars to pay for medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance plan
• Term life insurance, family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government
• Long-term care insurance is available as an option

Federal Retirement Plan:

• VA employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits, 2) FERS-RAE basic benefits (pension), and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan
• How is the pension funded? VA employees automatically contribute 4.4% of their salary each pay period and the VA contributes 12.2% of the employee’s salary each pay period for a total annual contribution percentage equal to 16.6% of the employee’s salary
• Similar to the 401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector, the TSP allows employees to tax defer a portion of their income each year, subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. For calendar year 2020, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $19,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $25,500.
• The Federal Government also provides an automatic basic contribution (1% of salary) and up to 4% of salary in matching contributions, depending on the amount of the employee contribution
• For retired military personnel, these benefits are in addition to full monthly retirement pay or pension
• In addition to FERS, VA provides health care insurance coverage for retired personnel
• Disability Retirement
• Employees are vested in a federal pension after only 5 years service

The Best Care and the Best Careers…The mission of the Veterans Healthcare System is to serve the needs of America's veterans by providing primary care, specialized care, and related medical and social support services. To accomplish this mission, the VA needs to be a comprehensive, integrated healthcare system that provides excellence in health care value, excellence in service as defined by its customers, and excellence in education and research, and needs to be an organization characterized by exceptional accountability and by being an employer of choice.

The Oklahoma City VAMC offers a magnitude of services… to its patient veteran population. It is a Regional Referral Center for open-heart surgery and hemodialysis and serves as a tertiary referral center for patients from Oklahoma and the surrounding states. Psychiatric programs included in the specialized medical programs offered are the Mental Health Primary Care Inpatient Unit, Day Treatment Center, Ambulatory Mental Health Clinic, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Unit (PTSD), Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine Clinic, Crisis Intervention, Substance Abuse Treatment Center (SATC), and Homeless Program. The facility also offers Audiology, Speech Pathology and Nuclear Medicine. Medical Service and Surgical Service include most of the major subspecialties.

Oklahoma City is unlike any other city in the world….Born in a single day at the sound of a gunshot, Oklahoma City was settled by a historic land run. Angelo Scott, a journalist who staked his claim in the run, wrote at the time about the spirit of the city, saying it has "an attitude that all things are possible if people are willing to take a chance and embrace the future without hesitation or reservation." Oklahoma City offers everything you look for in a modern metropolitan community an abundance of the arts, quality health care, excellence in education and more. And it does so without high costs, energy shortages, smog or traffic congestion. It is a distinctly livable city where you can chase your business dreams and still enjoy a rich quality of life.

http://www.okcchamber.com/