Podiatrist w/Recruitment-Relocation Incentive

About the role

The West Texas VA Health Care System is seeking a Podiatrist who provides comprehensive, non-invasive podiatric medical care to Veterans at the medical center and its affiliated Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). This position is located in Abilene, TX. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate.

What you will do

• The Podiatrist will require to travel throughout the rural West Texas catchment area to ensure equitable access to specialty foot and ankle care for Veterans residing in remote and medically underserved communities Major Duties and Responsibilities: Clinical Care Duties: Performs comprehensive foot and ankle examinations, including vascular, neurological, dermatological, and musculoskeletal assessments.
• Diagnoses and manages non-surgical podiatric conditions, including: Diabetic foot complications.
• Peripheral vascular disease-related foot issues.
• Skin and nail disorders (e.g., onychomycosis, ingrown nails, calluses).
• Biomechanical abnormalities.
• Chronic foot pain syndromes.
• Orders and interprets diagnostic tests (X-rays, vascular studies, laboratory work) consistent with clinical privileges.
• Prescribes medications as authorized under VA and state regulations and consistent with granted prescriptive privileges.
• Provides wound care, debridement, and ulcer management.
• Fits and prescribes orthotics, footwear modifications, and off-loading devices.
• Refers Veterans to appropriate services (vascular surgery, endocrinology, orthopedics, prosthetics, physical therapy) as clinically indicated.
• Clinical Reminders are to be followed up with.
• Care Coordination and Multidisciplinary Practice: Collaborates with primary care, endocrinology, vascular surgery, physical/occupational therapy, wound-care nursing, and prosthetics to ensure coordinated management of foot and ankle conditions.
• Participates in care planning for high-risk patients, including diabetic limb-preservation pathways.
• Coordinates care and referral processes between the facility and CBPC sites to ensure continuity for Veterans in rural areas.
• Rural and CBOC Outreach: Travels regularly to assigned CBOCs through the rural West Texas service are to deliver podiatric care directly to Veterans, reducing the need for long-distance travel by patients.
• Coordinates clinic schedules and telehealth podiatry services to maximize access for Veterans in remote locations.
• Maintains flexibility in scheduling to accommodate outreach clinics, community events, and specialty care days at outlying sites.
• Exercises independent clinical judgement when practicing at sites with limited on-site specialty backup, consistent with granted privileges and scope of practice.
• Documentation and Compliance: Maintains accurate and timely documentation in CPRS and VA electronic health records.
• Complies with VHA Medical Staff Bylaws, credentialing requirements, and clinical privilege standards.
• Follows VA policies on professional conduct, timeliness, and patient-safety culture.
• Practices within a defined Scope of Practice, under oversight where independent privileges have not be granted, and independently where privileged to do so, consistent with training, experience, and current demonstrated competence.
• Quality, Safety, and Administrative Responsibilities: Participates in performance-improvement activities, including chart reviews, peer review, and morbidity tracking.
• Provides patient and caregiver education on diabetic foot care, footwear, injury prevention, and home self-management strategies.
• Engages in scheduled clinics, specialty consult services, and population-health initiatives, including diabetic foot surveillance programs.
• Completes mandatory trainings and maintains BLS/ACLS or other competencies and required by facility policy.
• Work Schedule: Monday- Friday (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (***).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Education

Applicants must possess a doctor of podiatric medicine degree, or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in podiatric medicine and surgery.

The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. (1) Approved schools are United States schools of podiatric medicine and surgery, approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatry Medical Association in the year in which the degree was granted.

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: ***

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: ***

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA.
• When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

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. 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.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.