Excellent Emergency Medicine Director Opportunity in the Pacific Northwest - Seattle, WA

The VA Puget Sound Healthcare System (VAPSHCS) is actively recruiting a Board-Certified Director of Emergency Medicine Section to help care for our veterans – America’s heroes.  The selected candidate will be appointed to the full-time faculty at the University of Washington at the Associate or Full Professor rank, commensurate with experience.

The VA Puget Sound HCS is seeking a full-time Director of Emergency Medicine Physician with administrative and supervisory experience for a position as Medical Director of the Emergency Room at the Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle Division.  The Puget Sound VA HCS, Seattle is a large tertiary care medical center and major teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Washington School of Medicine.  The Medical Director of the ED will recruit providers, oversee clinical operations, supervise all physicians and PA’s, and otherwise administer the ED in collaboration with the ED’s Nurse Manager.  The Medical Director of the ED reports to the Hospital and Specialty Medicine Service Line Manager and will participate in an integrated health system involving seamless care of patients to hospital admission or follow up.  The ED is open 24/7/365 and provides evaluation, treatment and care for veterans with acute medical conditions (excluding major trauma) from throughout the Pacific Northwest.  The ED has a volume of over 26,000 patient visits a year. The new ED was recently opened in   2012 and  has on site access to adult medical and surgical specialties, state of the art medical equipment and advanced imaging techniques.

The VAPSHCS is a Joint Commission accredited, referral level 1a/high complexity, 459 bed facility serving Veterans in Washington State, including the rapidly expanding Puget Sound area. This exciting job opportunity awaits you in our, state-of-the-art VA facility in the city.  VAPSHCS is among the VA Medical Centers that have been improving the health of the men and women who have so proudly served our nation. In addition to an outstanding Gastroenterology Section, we have high quality general surgeons, interventional and general radiologists and gastrointestinal pathologists.

It is expected the candidate will have expertise in the management of Emergency Medicine and disorders, and the skills and knowledge necessary to provide high quality, evidence-based care to Veterans across the spectrum of disease severity.  This includes the ability to identify patient needs and to provide the care needed to promote improvement. Candidate is required to have at least 3-5 years of experience in the practice of Emergency Medicine.

• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens (permanent residents may be appointed only if it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens).
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in the U.S.
• Board Certification in Emergency Medicine
• Medical Degree

Community Information

The VA Puget Sound Health Care System, with divisions in Tacoma (American Lake) and Seattle, is the largest and most comprehensive VA facility in the Pacific Northwest region. The Health Care system is a major referral medical center, serving veterans from Alaska, Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. Veterans are referred to the health care system's nationally recognized Spinal Cord Injury Center of Excellence; marrow transplant unit; deployment health clinic; radiation therapy program; rehabilitation program; prosthetics and limb loss prevention program; Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center; GRECC; Center of Excellence in substance abuse treatment and education; and HSR&D program. Additional outpatient clinics provide primary care, specialty care, and mental health care at both divisions. Additionally, there are 15 inpatient beds with staff from the American Lake Division stationed at Madigan Army Medical Center. The VA Puget Sound Health Care System manages and operates several Community Based Outpatient Clinics in western Washington to bring primary care closer to Veterans. An additional clinic is planned for the South Sound area. The Health Care System also operates a Mobile Medical Unit and makes monthly visits to the rural communities of Aberdeen, Shelton, and Morton

Affiliated with the University of Washington and more than 50 nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, social work, and psychology schools, VAPSHCS trains over 1,590 allied health care professionals each year in audiology and speech pathology, dietetics, radiology, optometry, podiatry, occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreational therapy, psychology, health information management, information technology, medical informatics, and other health care programs. The healthcare system receives more than $33 million in research from VA and non-VA funding. This strong, diversified base of support maintains the competitive edge of VAPSHCS as a leader in world-class research for such areas as hypertension, diabetes, Alzheimer disease, prosthetics and amputee care, rehabilitation, mental health, neurodegenerative disorders, obesity, cancer, and pulmonary diseases. The system also is a polytrauma network site, providing lifelong rehabilitation and care coordination for Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom combat-injured veterans.

Benefits and Features

Expected Salary range will be competitive for a well-qualified Board-Certified gastroenterologist and include industry leading full benefits and features a package to support high quality professional practice and favorable work-life-family balance. The VA provides employees with a robust benefits package and fosters an environment where more time is spent on medical practice and less on business tasks. VA does this by offering   paid time off in the form of 26 days paid annual leave, 12 weeds of Maternity/Paternity paid leave, 13 days paid sick leave per year, 11 Federal holidays with pay, and 5-Days paid absence to attend approved CME courses. Insurance to include health-dental-vision care insurance programs to choose from with premiums partially paid by VA; flexible spending accounts; term life insurance, family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government; and long-term care insurance available as an option. Federal Retirement Plan thru 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 five percent government matching contributions.  An Educational Debt Reduction Program may be available for qualified candidates. 

To Explore This Physician Opportunity Further

Please forward a copy of your cover letter and curriculum vitae to Henry "Hank" Laguatan, VA National Healthcare Recruitment Consultant

VAPSHCS has a busy 231 bed tertiary medical center in Seattle providing a wide array of inpatient and outpatient surgical, medical, rehabilitation, and behavioral health services. Additional ambulatory care services are also provided at the American Lake Division in Tacoma, Washington, and at seven community based outpatient clinics in western Washington.

With a reputation for excellence, innovation and extraordinary care of our Nation’s heroes, VA Puget Sound strives to lead the nation in terms of quality, efficiency and public service through its proven record of innovation and extraordinary care of Veterans. As the primary referral site for VA's northwest region, VA Puget Sound provides care for Veteran populations encompassing Alaska, Montana, Idaho and Oregon.

Since 1923, VA Puget Sound Health Care System has distinguished itself as a leader in teaching, research and patient care while earning prestigious recognition as part of the largest health care network in the country. We consider it our privilege to serve your health care needs of more than 80,000 Veterans living in the Pacific Northwest.

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

Known for its world-renowned glass art, Tacoma’s vibrant urban core is alive with culture. Find yourself surrounded by creativity and city sophistication when you eat, shop and stroll Tacoma’s downtown. The friendly city inspires many to celebrate the melding of old and new. Explore the city's affinity for classic cars of yesteryear. Step into historic theaters to enjoy the latest in performing arts. The city’s many districts abound with culture. Stroll the museum district where you can explore art, glass and history. Wander among the eclectic mix of upbeat restaurants and music venues on Sixth Avenue. Shop the unique boutiques in the historic Proctor and Stadium districts, which bustle with foot traffic. Rooted in the arts, Tacoma is the place to be.  Tacoma is ideally situated along the saltwater banks of Puget Sound. Boasting stunning natural surroundings, you don’t need to pack hiking boots to enjoy the mesmerizing outdoors. Explore the parks, gardens and wildlife that make Tacoma a nature wonderland. Or just enjoy the view on one of the many waterfront restaurants.  The nature in Tacoma extends beyond just land. Comb the beaches of the water’s edge and test the open waters in a kayak or boat. Come experience Tacoma’s nature—rain or shine. There’s plenty for you do to, both indoors and out. Check out the City of Tacoma.

Mission Statement

To fulfill President Lincoln's promise “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s Veterans.

Core Values

VA’s five core values underscore the obligations inherent in VA’s mission: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. The core values define “who we are,” our culture, and how we care for Veterans and eligible beneficiaries. Our values are more than just words – they affect outcomes in our daily interactions with Veterans and eligible beneficiaries and with each other. Taking the first letter of each word—Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence—creates a powerful acronym, “I CARE,” that reminds each VA employee of the importance of their role in this Department. These core values come together as five promises we make as individuals and as an organization to those we serve.

Integrity: Act with high moral principle. Adhere to the highest professional standards. Maintain the trust and confidence of all with whom I engage.

Commitment: Work diligently to serve Veterans and other beneficiaries. Be driven by an earnest belief in VA’s mission. Fulfill my individual responsibilities and organizational responsibilities.

Advocacy: Be truly Veteran-centric by identifying, fully considering, and appropriately advancing the interests of Veterans and other beneficiaries.

Respect: Treat all those I serve and with whom I work with dignity and respect. Show respect to earn it.

Excellence: Strive for the highest quality and continuous improvement. Be thoughtful and decisive in leadership, accountable for my actions, willing to admit mistakes, and rigorous in correcting them.

VA Puget Sound is primarily affiliated with the University of Washington Medical Center* and also maintains affiliations with over 50 other educational institutions. Each year, we train hundreds of medical residents and allied health professionals each year in audiology and speech pathology, dietetics, HRS&D, radiology, optometry, podiatry, occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreation therapy, psychology, health information management, information technology, medical informatics and other health care programs. Additionally, we train between 15-20 dental residents each year. We are also affiliated with several nursing schools, annually hosting over 500 nursing-auxiliary students and over 300 nursing-professional students.

Each year, VA Puget Sound funds over 700 medical and dental resident slots. Training is also provided to over 100 nursing and associated health trainees.