Summary NOTE: This announcement has been amended to reflect the 2024 salary range and contact information. PLEASE READ THE COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ENSURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKET. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and will remain on file through December 31, 2024. Eligible applicants will be referred each month as vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Responsibilities In compliance with VA Policy & union requirements/recommendations for Title 38 clinical positions, internal facility employees must receive first consideration prior to hiring managers making selections externally to other applicants. So, this internal announcement ensures this is met by posting all positions internally to facility employees throughout the year. This announcement does not signify that a vacancy exists at this time. Should a true vacancy become available in this occupation/specialty, applicants will be reviewed & referred to hiring managers for consideration at that time. You will receive notification when/if your application progresses to the next stage of recruitment. Applicant's note: This announcement may be used to fill various positions at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System. You must choose which duty location you wish to be considered for. You may select multiple duty locations; but you must select at least one when you apply. You will be considered for the duty location(s) that you select when you apply. Multiple specialties are also being filled from this vacancy announcement. You must choose which specialties you want to be considered for based on your qualifications. But, you must select at least one when you apply. You will be considered for the duty location(s) and specialties you select when you apply. Note that there may not be any current vacancies at the time of this announcement. However, applicants may be considered for future and any additional vacancies that become available until the announcement closes. The Podiatrist provides quality patient care in collaboration with other health care professionals. The incumbent will perform specific duties within his/her approved scope of practice. He/She must qualify to perform duties as a podiatrist, have completed an accredited residency and/or possess experience which has qualified the individual to perform general duties and some specialized functions and procedures without supervision. Staff podiatrists may also include attending podiatrists who train physician residents, assigned in facilities with residency training programs, and consultants who are capable of giving authoritative views and opinions on subjects in their field of medicine. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: Providing podiatric services in outpatient, urgent care, inpatient, and telehealth settings, including the diagnosis/treatment/management of podiatric medical and surgical disorders and conditions. Performing podiatric procedures in the operating room and office setting. Performing clinical review, triage, and management of podiatric consults. Playing an active role in teaching of trainees including residents, medical students, and others, when appropriate. Ensuring accurate and timely medical record documentation. Participating in committees, peer review process, and other administrative responsibilities as assigned by the Chief of Specialty Service, the Medical Director of Specialty Medicine/Surgery, or other designee. Biomedical Evaluation of the Lower Extremities to assist in the management of Pathology by controlling the contribution of abnormal gait and foot functions to the patients' symptomology. Development and use of devices which disperse or remove weight bearing from certain parts of the foot which are ulcerated or painful together with necessary local care of local pathology. Identification/treatment of "static" foot problems (e.g. heel pain, flatfoot deformity, hammer toes), by performance of bio mechanical evaluation of the lower extremities and utilization of highly specific devices which place the foot or digits in a more functional position and redistribute weight bearing to reduce or eliminate discomfort, ulceration Local care of corns, calluses and pedal ulceration. Local care of deformed, painful and/or infected nails which may result in significant extension of infection, ulceration, disability, or gangrene; particularly in patients predisposed to infection or its extension by systemic disease (diabetes mellitus) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Various work schedules available. May require rotating call coverage, weekdays, nights, weekends and/or holidays. The supervisor will determine the actual work schedule (FT, PT or Intermittent & the hours worked) upon selection based on the needs of the organization. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Requirements Conditions of Employment All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen. English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d) podiatrists appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English . Education: Degree of doctor of podiatric medicine degree, or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in podiatric medicine and surgery. Approved schools are United States schools of podiatric medicine approved by the Council on Podiatry Education of the American Podiatry Association in the year in which the degree was granted. Licensure or Registration: Current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Residency Training: Podiatrists must have completed residency training, or its equivalent, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. VA Podiatrists involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status. Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education, the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, in the list published for the year the residency was completed, or (2) Other residencies and training experiences, or their equivalents, which the local Professional Standards Board determines to have provided an applicant with appropriate professional training. Selective Placement Factor (SPF): This position includes a skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to -and essential for- satisfactory performance of the job. Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. Evidence of the SPF must be reflected in your resume. The SPF for this position is: In addition to the English Language Proficiency, you must also be proficient in basic written and spoken Spanish in order to perform the duties of this position. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-4 Podiatrists Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Long periods of continued sitting, standing, walking, reaching, bending, climbing, lifting (45 pounds or more). Possible exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening. Must be able to assist with positioning of patients. Must be physically, emotionally and mentally competent and able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to yourself or others. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.