Summary
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
Duties
The Section Chief: Emergency Ambulance Service (EAS) is a physician leader responsible for the clinical and operational oversight of the VA-based ambulance and related out-of-hospital emergency medical services program, which is an integral component of the Emergency Medicine Service. This position provides medical direction and physician oversight for all aspects of ambulance-based care, including emergency response, interfacility transport, and other out-of-hospital clinical activities performed by EMS personnel operating under facility authority. The incumbent ensures that all ambulance service activities are recognized and managed as the practice of medicine, requiring direct or indirect physician oversight, continuous quality improvement, and integration with broader VA and community emergency care systems. The Section Chief works collaboratively with Emergency Medicine leadership, external EMS agencies, hospital administration, nursing, and allied health staff to promote safe, patient centered, and efficient care across the continuum from initial contact through definitive in hospital care. Serves as an Emergency Medicine Physician in Emergency Medicine Service with responsibility for the delivery of emergency care at the Fayetteville VAMC ED. The incumbent will provide clinical and administrative support to the Emergency Department including the Fast Track, Telehealth, and other areas as assigned. The physician must be a board-certified/board eligible Emergency Medicine Physician. The incumbent reports to the Chief/Deputy Chief or designee of Emergency Medicine Service for all clinical, administrative, and quality performance matters. The incumbent will serve as the acting ED chief as needed. This is just a sample of the duties that the incumbent will be expected to perform: Performs high-level, autonomous patient-centered care to all individuals presenting to the Emergency Department, ensuring rapid evaluation and management of undifferentiated acute conditions. Functions at the top of scope, practicing independently under established VA and facility policies while maintaining close collaboration with attending emergency physicians. Demonstrates advanced procedural competencies in emergency medicine, including but not limited to: i. Airway management (including endotracheal intubation and advanced airway adjuncts). ii. Vascular access (central and arterial lines, ultrasound guided IV placement). iii. Trauma and orthopedic procedures (reductions, splinting, and joint aspirations). iv. Point-of-care ultrasound (FAST exam, cardiac ultrasound, procedural guidance). v. Wound care (complex laceration repairs, abscess drainage). Serves as the Medical Director for the Ambulance Service Program or equivalent role as designated by the facility, providing direction for all clinical care delivered in the out-of-hospital environment by ambulance personnel in accordance with local and national Emergency Ambulance Services (EAS) protocols. Develops, approves, and periodically updates medical protocols, clinical practice guidelines, and standing orders for ambulance service staff, ensuring compliance with VA policy, National Emergency Medicine Office (NEMO, EAS, applicable regulations, and evidence-based practice. May serve on various other Fayetteville VAMC Committees at the discretion of the Chief of the Emergency Medicine Service. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Available to highly qualified candidates Relocation Incentive: Available to eligible candidates. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator, Cheryl Lahair, at cheryl.lahair@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more. 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 Work Schedule: Full-time, 24/7 shift work. Shifts are subject to change to ensure efficient use of medical center resources and appropriate levels of care are maintained.
Requirements
U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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 identification 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the Agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the Agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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: Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted. Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for the year in which the degree was granted. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, confirmation must be made that the medical school meets (or met) Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) eligibility requirement for year graduated. 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 a 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.
How you will be evaluated
Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.