Podiatrist-Deputy Chief of Surgery

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. HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements. Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment.

Podiatrist 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.
• Education: Degree as a doctor of podiatric medicine, or its equivalent, from a school of podiatric medicine approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 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. ~AND~
• Residency Training: Completed, or currently completing, 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. ~AND~
• Licensure or Registration: Currently hold, or will hold, a full and unrestricted license to practice Podiatry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia.
• English Language Proficiency: Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Additional Requirement-Board Certification:
-Board certified by an appropriate specialty board in either surgery or a surgery sub-specialty

Preferred Experience:
-Leadership experience and excellent communication skills
-Knowledge of written policies and procedures developed in compliance with all applicable accrediting organizations and program offices, standards and requirements.

Grade Determinations:
Service Chief, Section Chief or Line Manager: A service chief or line manager podiatrist must demonstrate the following:
1. Outstanding professional ability in the practice of medicine or a medical specialty; and
2. Ability to guide the development and implementation of programs, within their respective domain. These programs would include, but are not limited to, medical practice, professional standards, personnel issues, and quality and performance improvement.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-4 Podiatrist Qualification Standard https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The position requires light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (2 hours), standing (2 hours), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, specific visual requirement (20/40 DVA; Binoc), both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, and hearing (aid permitted).