Question about a VA Position

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

Bgladney

President - Physician Search Associates
15+ Year Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2008
Messages
101
Reaction score
9
Posters,

Trying to help out one of my candidates and hoping you all call educate me a bit.

I am working with a physician who is considering a VA Position in conjunction with resident teaching involved. Personally, I don't really work with VA Hospitals so I do not know what they really can anticipate.

They are being offered a salary of $300,000. Would they even be able to earn a bonus? Sounds like it would be a mostly non-insured patient base. What are the advantages to this type position?

When staffing residents, how many evening/nights are typically involved for faculty?

Any insight would be great. If you wish to PM me, go ahead.

Thanks for your help in advance!

Members don't see this ad.
 
I don't recall VA positions actually offering bonuses. But it has been a few years since I've seen those positions. I'm pretty sure you get put on a standardized government salary scale.

Advantages:

- VA has unlimited malpractice coverage. So you don't sweat it as much if you blind someone (morbid, I know)
- Residents work up patients (if part of residency program)
- They have some type of retirement plan typically
- Great place to learn -- basically unlimited patients and again, less stress on your personal reputation

Disadvantages:

- It's the VA: none of the staff have any incentives to work harder. Have fun loading your own lenses in the OR
- Quick salary ceiling
- It's basically the opposite of private practice
 
Posters,

Trying to help out one of my candidates and hoping you all call educate me a bit.

I am working with a physician who is considering a VA Position in conjunction with resident teaching involved. Personally, I don't really work with VA Hospitals so I do not know what they really can anticipate.

They are being offered a salary of $300,000. Would they even be able to earn a bonus? Sounds like it would be a mostly non-insured patient base. What are the advantages to this type position?

When staffing residents, how many evening/nights are typically involved for faculty?

Any insight would be great. If you wish to PM me, go ahead.

Thanks for your help in advance!

All VAs have their own unique styles, but overall there is a lot of consistent traits between all VAs.

Call depends on how many providers are there. However, it’s usually very light. Most issues can be either addressed over the phone or with a quick clinic visit. More serious issues are usually sent out because most VAs don’t have the resources to handle surgical emergencies.

There really isn’t much of a bonus if you’re salaried. It may be possible in a contracting/locums gig (working in ER, moonlighting, screenings and telemedicine) but usually being salaried pays more consistently. The pay is great for the amount of work you do but good luck getting a raise.

That said, the biggest advantages are:
-don’t have to worry about running a business
-great hours - you’ll be home by 430 usually if not sooner
-very little after hours work
-don’t have to worry about meaningful use/billing issues like you do in private, though you’re trading one problem for another in terms of paperwork.
-great for type B personalities
-job security. It literally takes an act of Congress to fire someone, which is not too ironic. Most of us ophthalmologists are type A and super invested in our patients, partly to have good outcomes and not to have to worry about medicolegal repercussions. At the VA, the worst thing that can happen is that you get put on paid administrative leave. If you don’t believe me, look it up online regarding ophthalmologists and other surgical subspecialists at the VA. I know such a person that was involved (PM for details).
 
Top