Critical Care Physician

Location: Laurel

Job Summary

We are seeking highly qualified Pulmonary and Critical Care Physicians to provide comprehensive medical services to veterans at the Columbia VA Health Care System, WJB Dorn VA Medical Center (6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209). Physicians will deliver a full range of inpatient and outpatient pulmonary and critical care services, meeting or exceeding the standards established by the American College of Chest Physicians and other nationally recognized guidelines.

This is a full-time, on-site position that requires participation in clinic, operating suite, intensive care units, and on-call rotations.

Work Schedule

• Clinic
  
  Hours:
  
  Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (minimum two physicians on-site daily).
• Operating Days:
  Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (physicians must report at least 20 minutes before shift start).
• On-Call Coverage:
  • Weekdays, evenings, weekends, and holidays on rotation.
  • Must be available by phone within 15 minutes and on-site within 30 minutes when called.
  • Off-hours responsibilities include patient evaluation, documentation, and critical care support.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive pulmonary and critical care services equivalent to those in modern civilian medical facilities.
• Evaluate, diagnose, and manage patients with acute and chronic pulmonary disorders in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Deliver care in critical care units, including ventilator management, bronchoscopy, and complex pulmonary procedures.
• Be present for all pulmonary procedures in the operating suite and provide postoperative follow-up in the SICU and wards.
• Conduct routine patient rounds, participate in morbidity and mortality case discussions, and ensure documentation is completed within VA guidelines.
• Provide timely consultations and follow VA rules for clinic wait times and consult completion.
• Participate in on-call rotations
  , remaining available for phone consultations and on-site patient evaluations when needed.
• Collaborate with residents, fellows, and other staff physicians in patient care and training.
• Maintain compliance with VA policies, procedures, and mandatory training requirements.

Diagnostic Bronchoscopy & Airway Procedures

• Perform diagnostic bronchoscopies
  , including washings, brushings, lavage, biopsies (forceps, needle, or additional sites), and advanced methods such as navigational bronchoscopy
  .
• Conduct therapeutic bronchoscopic interventions such as dilation, stent placement or revision, tumor excision, balloon occlusion, removal of foreign bodies, clearance of secretions, and endobronchial valve placement/removal.
• Apply advanced procedures including bronchial thermoplasty for one or multiple lobes.

Pulmonary Function & Respiratory Testing

• Administer and interpret spirometry
  , including patient-recorded and pediatric applications.
• Perform lung volume measurements, vital capacity tests, flow-volume loops, and oscillometry
  .
• Conduct advanced pulmonary function testing such as plethysmography, gas diffusion studies (CO/diffusing capacity), pulmonary compliance studies, and exhaled gas analysis (O₂, CO₂, or combined).
• Assess respiratory response curves (CO₂ and hypoxia) and exercise-related pulmonary stress testing (simple and complex).
• Oversee expired gas collection and analysis
  , as well as airway pressure/ventilation techniques (CPAP, CNP).

Respiratory Therapy & Inhalation Treatments

• Administer airway inhalation therapies
  , including aerosol treatments, surfactant administration, and oxygen titration protocols.
• Guide and evaluate patient use of inhalers and adherence to prescribed therapies.
• Provide chest wall manipulation therapy and deliver continuous breathing treatments (CBT).

Blood Gas, Oxygen, and Exhaled Gas Monitoring

• Measure and interpret blood oxygen levels at rest, during exercise, and under specific challenges
  .
• Conduct exhaled nitric oxide testing and exhaled carbon dioxide analysis for diagnostic purposes.
• Perform hypoxia altitude simulation testing (HAST) with detailed reporting.

Sleep Medicine & Polysomnography

• Perform and interpret sleep studies (attended and unattended) for pediatric and adult populations, including actigraphy, multiple sleep…