Physician - Deputy Chief - Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Science

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.

The incumbent serves as the Deputy Chief, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the patient-focused VA Durham VA Healthcare System (Durham VA HCS). Incumbent may travel between campuses in order to perform duties and supervision, but the actual duty station will be the Durham Campus. The Deputy Chief, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Durham VA HCS is the deputy to the senior management official responsible for all areas of P&LMS including clinical, administrative, education and research. The Deputy Chief, P&LMS, is directly responsible to the Chief of P&LMS and directly or indirectly supervises all staff assigned to the service at Durham and associated outpatient clinics (CBOC's) and healthcare centers (HCC's). Responsibilities include planning, developing, coordinating, directing and evaluating the operational aspects of a large and complex laboratory program across multiple sites. The Deputy Chief is expected to be familiar with the entire service but will focus day-to-day oversight on the Durham campus laboratory and the assigned outpatient laboratories. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. MAJOR DUTIES: CALL AND COVERAGE ASSIGNMENT: Call and Coverage expectations of the incumbent's assignment: The Pathologists are on a regular rotational schedule to take call for Anatomic and/or Clinical Pathologist. In addition, the Deputy Service Chief will be reachable unless on personal leave, at which time they will appoint a designee to provide coverage. The role of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service Deputy Chief Physician will include, but shall not be limited to the following: Contributes to the operation of effective and safe laboratories that are in full compliance with standards established by the College of American Pathology (CAP), the Joint Commission (JC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), the VA Pathology & Laboratory National Enforcement Office (NEO) and other regulatory agencies as applicable. Ensures accurate clinical laboratory test results with turn-around times that meet the reasonable and possible expectations of the medical staff and accrediting agencies, when adequately supported with necessary resources from administration and human resources. Performance of the clinical laboratory is monitored continuously, with results reported through the department and healthcare system Quality and Safety Committees. Ensures accurate anatomic pathology services (surgical pathology, cytology, and autopsy) with turn-around times that meet the reasonable and possible expectations of the medical staff and accrediting agencies, when adequately supported with necessary resources from administration and human resources. Performance of anatomic pathology services is monitored continuously, with results reported through the department and healthcare system Quality and Safety Committees. Promotes an effective, balanced relationship with academic affiliates that results in a joint and mutually advantageous partnership. Ensures communication and coordination between the laboratory services and the clinical services. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. 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: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

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 evaluation/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.