Physician - Hospital Epidemiology and Infectious Disease

Summary

The Hospital Epidemiologist will study and review factors that determine disease, disability, or other healthcare outcomes, usually with a focus on infectious diseases and other hospital‑associated infections.

To qualify for this position you must meet the basic requirements and 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 physicians 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.

• United States Citizenship:
  Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree in medicine or osteopathic medicine, obtained from a VA‑approved school
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia
• Residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program leading to board certification eligibility
• Approved residencies include:
  • ACGME accredited programs
  • AOA accredited programs
  • Other residency programs (non‑U.S. residency followed by a minimum of five years of verified U.S. practice) deemed appropriate by the local Medical Staff Executive Committee
• Resident physicians in ACGME/AOA programs who otherwise meet the basic requirements are eligible to be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs)
• PRPs must hold a full, unrestricted license and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee‑basis; they are not independent practitioners and will not be privileged but possess a scope of practice for restricted duties under supervision
• Surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Board certification in internal medicine with eligibility for subspecialty certification in infectious disease
• Physical requirements:
  
  Applicants must meet physical standards for the position, including a physical examination prior to placement; this is a designated drug testing position with random testing for illegal drug use; requires lifting 15–44 pounds, pushing, reaching above shoulder, using fingers and both hands, walking and standing for 3–5 hours, kneeling, and rapid mental and muscular coordination; depth perception and basic color differentiation are required, hearing aid permitted.

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until April 28, 2026.
• The initial cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications is March 4, 2026; subsequent cut‑off dates occur every two weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.
• VHA Physician Total Rewards and comprehensive benefits package, including full‑time work schedule determined by supervisor, competitive salary with annual performance bonus, 50–55 days of paid time off (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and up to 5 days for CME), traditional federal pension (five‑year vesting), federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA employer match, federal insurance (health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care) with many programs transferable into retirement, full and unrestricted U.S. state or territory license, $1,000 per year CME reimbursement (full‑time, board‑certified), free malpractice protection with tail coverage, no physician employment contract, and no significant restriction on moonlighting.
• Major duties include but are not limited to:
  • Chair the Infection Prevention and Control Committee and guide the program using epidemiology and data analysis; provide subject‑matter expertise and policy recommendations, including:
    • Procedures for precautions to prevent infections
    • Environmental sanitation and disinfection
    • Infection surveillance
    • Epidemiologic reviews
    • Consultation on surveillance,…