INTERNAL MEDICINE PHYSICIAN

The Primary Care Physician (Float) serves as a practicing physician who is responsible for the overall management of patients enrolled for healthcare services provided by the Tennessee Valley Health Care System. Responsible for administrative tasks associated with clinic operations, provides leadership and direction to support staff assigned to their PACT (Patient Aligned Care Team).

Functions / Scope of Assigned Duties :

• Fully implements the components and processes relative to the VHA Primary Care Medical Home (PCMH) healthcare system design.
• Coordinates care for a panel of outpatients as assigned by TVHS.
• Evaluates and treats acute and chronic health problems for scheduled and unscheduled patients in the clinic setting.
• Performs histories and physical exams.
• Provides appropriate documentation to minimally include history, physical exam findings, diagnosis, definitive care plan and disposition of the patient.
• Ensures that patient encounters are appropriately closed, including disposition that clearly indicates the next steps of care.
• Ensures that each patient is provided a list of current medications and an appointment list at close-out.
• Performs office procedures contained within their approved privileges.
• Prescribes medications as appropriate.
• Orders routine laboratory, radiological and diagnostic tests and provides initial interpretation of results.
• Communicates test results to patients.
• Responds to questions and other inquiries from patients including use of secure messaging.
• Initiates or expedites requests for consultations and special tests.
• Provides education to the patient and family as necessary.
• Orders immunizations and other preventive or screening services as necessary.
• Screens patients to determine the need for hospitalization.
• Performs Basic Life Support as necessary.
• Communicates clinical findings to other providers using the Computerized Patient Record System.
• Functions as the managing physician for nurse practitioners and / or physician assistants as assigned by TVHS.
• Functions as a preceptor for residents in the clinic setting as assigned by TVHS. Treats patients 18 years of age or greater.
• Consistently communicates and treats customers, veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner.
• The Primary Care Physician (Float) will provide the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures and will handle conflicts and problems when dealing with customers constructively and appropriately.
• The Primary Care Physician (Float) will protect printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal Regulations, VA statutes and policies and VHA policy. The Primary Care Physician (Float) protects data from unauthorized release, or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion and follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files and release of access codes, etc.
• Use data sets contained in the VHA Almanac, Compass, EQM, and High-Risk Registries to identify and more highly manage patients at high risk and / or that have recurring outcome values that are outside the norm.
• Electronically tracks various components of care to promote a higher level of care coordination.
• Maximizes the use of virtual care modalities such as Home Telemedicine, VA Video Connect, Telephone visits, Secure Messaging and e-Consults to enhance access to care.
• Complies with the Medical Center Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the Medical Staff.

Education :

Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are :

NOTE : The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.

Conditions of Employment :