Physician (Sleep Program Manager)

Summary

The Sleep Medicine Physician (MD/DO) will work as part of an interdisciplinary team - collaborating with physicians - nursing staff - administrative and clerical personnel. The physician will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of comprehensive medical services within the Sleep Program. The Sleep Medicine Program Manager will be accountable for maintaining high standards of patient care and ensuring the effective operation of the Sleep Medicine Program.

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: ACGME accredited residency in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Training is preferred: All members of the Medical Staff are required to show proof of current BLS training at the time of credentialing and privileging
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Training is required
• All members of the Medical Staff are required to show proof of current BLS training at the time of credentialing and privileging
• Reference: See VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G2
• The Board Sleep Medicine Physician must meet the following minimum threshold criteria and be certified by the American Broad of Sleep: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Must be able to physically and mentally perform the duties of Physician under normal and emergent conditions
• Bending - pushing - pulling - reaching and occasional kneeling - crawling and squatting
• lifting - carrying - bending - and manipulation of equipment
• patient assistance and positioning
• walking and prolonged standing
• the ability to read written orders - computer screens - patient records - and equipment controls
• and the ability to communicate with patients - physicians - and coworkers
• Near visual acuity to assess patient's physician condition when performing exams and evaluating images for diagnostic quality
• Must be able to speak and hear to communicate with patients
• ability to make critical decisions - interact with patients of different ages and health conditions - maintain patient confidentiality - work under stressful conditions - such as operating or emergency rooms.See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Duties

• A Sleep Medicine Physician is a health care professional credentialed to practice sleep medicine
• The Sleep Medicine Physician will: 1
• Perform comprehensive sleep medicine health assessments 2
• Order and manage sleep studies 3
• Establish sleep medicine diagnoses through differential diagnosis 4
• Evaluate the effectiveness of sleep interventions and therapies 5
• Identify and manage complications related to sleep therapies6
• Score and interpret sleep study results
• SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: In addition to compliance with national and local regulatory - policy - and accreditation requirements governing this health care system - this position encompasses the following responsibilities - in partnership with his/her Administrative Officer and the support of the section chiefs - and supervisors
• The incumbent requires appropriate time mapping and resources to ensure they are empowered to meet expected proficiencies in administration - clinical practice - education - and research
• Administrative Duties: Obligations/Responsibilities: Attending required staff meetings - communicating up and down the chain of command - and helping prepare heads-up and issue briefs related to adverse patient outcomes
• quality assurance - sleep program committee membership - management of clinics and maintaining American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) accreditation standards
• Clinical Coverage & Management including indirect patient care: open encounter and open consult maintenance - CPRS documentation requirements - secure messaging - and monitoring of clinic management
• Maintains involvement in matters concerning clinic productivity - relevant performance measures - Quality and Patient Safety oversight - as well as process improvements (system redesigns)
• Clinical Duties: The incumbent is expected to remain privileged and practicing in their specialty field
• The exact privileges and procedures for a particular provider will be approved by the Professional Standards Board
• All practitioners must meet the following qualifications: Conduct comprehensive sleep medicine assessments - including history-taking - physical exams - and diagnostic testing to evaluate sleep-related disorders
• Order and interpret sleep studies - including polysomnography and home sleep tests - to diagnose and manage sleep disorders
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans based on sleep study results - recommending appropriate behavioral - pharmacologic - or other therapeutic interventions
• Monitor and adjust treatment plans as needed - evaluating therapeutic outcomes and addressing complications related to sleep therapies
• Provide direct patient care in both inpatient and outpatient settings - managing a diverse patient population with various sleep disorders
• Collaborate with other healthcare providers to ensure coordinated care and address comorbid conditions
• Score and interpret in-lab sleep studies and home sleep test (HST) studies
• Complete Sleep Study Quality Assurance (QA) forms to ensure technical evaluation and integrity of sleep studies
• Order durable medical equipment (DME) necessary for the management of sleep disorders - in line with established guidelines
• Instruct patients on the proper use - limitations - and indications for out-of-center sleep study equipment (home sleep studies) - ensuring clarity on their role in diagnosis and management Educational Duties Educate patients on sleep disorders - treatment options - and lifestyle modifications to improve sleep health
• Supervise and mentor residents - fellows - and medical students during their rotations in sleep medicine
• Participate in formal teaching sessions - including lectures - case presentations - and hands-on training - to enhance the knowledge and skills of trainees
• Stay current with the latest research and advancements in sleep medicine - integrating evidence-based practices into patient care and teaching
• Contribute to the development and delivery of educational materials and programs for patients and staff including presentations for Medicine Grand Rounds and Morbidity and Mortality Conference
• SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Sleep Medicine Physician Program Manager reports directly to the Section Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care
• The physician is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of high-quality medical care in accordance with their scope of practice - while adhering to established standards of care and meeting or exceeding compliance requirements
• This includes fulfilling clinical - administrative - and educational responsibilities as outlined - and ensuring that all patient care activities align with organizational policies - regulatory guidelines - and best practices
• The position also has a secondary reporting relationship to the Deputy and Associate Chief of Staff of Medicine - providing additional oversight and alignment with broader departmental goals and initiatives.