Department of Veterans Affairs

Physician- Anatomic Pathology (Service Chief)

Muskogee, Oklahoma Full time

Physician- Anatomic Pathology (Service Chief)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Muskogee, Oklahoma

Salary Range: $325000 - $400000 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is eligible for Contract Buy Out Program. This position is eligible for a Recruitment / Relocation Incentive.

Major Duties:

  • Chief Pathology and Laboratory Duties: Directly or indirectly, supervises all individuals on PLMS. Completes, or supervises completion of, interim and annual performance appraisals on all individuals on the PLMS ORG chart. Participates in the new employee Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) process, and in the Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE) process. Participates in the FPPE for cause process if required. Completes, or supervises completion of, new employee FPPEs, OPPEs and FPPE for - cause) on all physicians on the PLMS ORG chart. Serves as a permanent member of the Procedure, Tissue and Transfusion Quality Review Committee, and may often serve as chair of this committee. Maintains familiarity with and understanding of the VA directives and rules regarding pathological analysis of tissue specimens as well as those related to operation of blood and specimen testing laboratories, blood banking, microbiology and associated disciplines, plus all safety requirements related to PLMS. Organizes quality assessment and quality improvement initiatives including but not limited to a 10% retrospective review of all anatomic pathology cases. Participates in facility Quality Management activities. Performs and directs others who perform coding of surgical reports with CPT and SNOMED codes Recruits clinical and administrative staff to appropriately operationalize the Surgical Service strategic plan Participates in VISN19 Pathology Group activities, reporting critical incidents and other required information to the VISN Chief Pathology Consultant. Organizes and chairs monthly Pathology Staff meetings. Participates in facility High Reliability Organization (HRO) activities. Participates in selected committees as designated by the Chief of Staff (e.g. Peer Review Committee, Electronic Health Records Committee, Medical Executive Council, etc.) Monitors and manages timely PLMS test result reporting. Focuses efforts of entire PLMS staff to provide highest possible quality service at all times. Ensures that all pathology tissue reporting is completed timely with results communicated accurately and timely based on Directive and clinical compelling nature. Participates in education and training of pathology residents, medical students, and staff, as applicable. Participates as requested in the facility Peer Review process. Participates in completion of physician Pay for-Performance awards by developing specialty-specific metrics, sharing metrics at initiation of the performance period, and compiling results at completion of the performance period. Provides consultative pathologic services consistent with the ambulatory status of the OKCVAHCS. Maintains BLS certification. Maintains an active medical license in the United States Acquires CMEs and participates in MOC as required by the individual's specialty board. Travels to each VA Outpatient Clinics with laboratory staff quarterly VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): A recruitment/relocation incentive is authorized for highly qualified candidates. 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 Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP), which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements, loan repayments, sign-on bonus contracts, Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years). For additional information and eligibility requirements, contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at vacontractbuyoutprog@va.gov. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV_-GjjarRE Telework: This position is authorized for telework- situational (ad hoc) and has NOT been authorized as remote Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

Qualifications: To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences. Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e., not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee-basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather, they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Additional Requirement: Board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Preferred Experience: Experience serving in a Medical Director and/or Chief of service capacity Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Applicants must meet physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required. This is a designated drug testing position. After appointment, you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Requires lifting 15-44 pounds; pushing (approx. 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers and both hands; walking and standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Hearing aid is permitted.

How to Apply: To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. To apply for this position online complete steps 1 and 2 above by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/24/2025 to receive consideration. Please note, this announcement may close prior to the closing date indicated if the position is filled through other means. If you are unable to apply online before the closing date click here and include the CBSU-12836248-26-HMD in the Notes field. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Application Deadline: 2025-11-24