Emergency Medicine Physician

• Contractor’s physician(s) (as appropriate and within scope of practice/privileging) shall be responsible for providing care in the Emergency Department.
• Employment of the principles of emergency care for life/limb threats, resuscitation and stabilization, triage, diagnosis, and disposition.
• Initial evaluation, emergent treatment and management including but not limited to:
o Minor wound care.
o Minor procedures (including but limited to incision and drainage, simple laceration repair, nail trephination, local infiltration anesthesia, electro-coagulation, nasal cautery, gastric lavage, bladder catheterization, and more as required).
o Musculoskeletal trauma.
o Gastrointestinal illness.
o Burns.
o Respiratory illness.
o Dermatological illness.
o ENT.
o Urological problems.
o Cardiovascular disorders.
o Issues caused by antigens, organisms, and other foreign substances.
• Major procedures shall be performed in the facility emergency department when safe and appropriate to do so.
• Provide appropriate stabilization prior to, or in concert with, transfer to a medical facility able to provide the level of care required.
• Review all admissions to inpatient hospital care recommended by the Advanced Practice Provider (NP or PA).
• Provide consultation with instructions to referring physicians.
• Initiate appropriate social work referrals for all identified homeless veterans and for patients who do not have primary care providers, but who appear regularly in the ED.
• Directly supervise application of orthopedic devices such as splints and braces to stabilize orthopedic injuries.
• Appropriately prescribe medications as needed, following established medication policies and procedures.
• Provide discharge education and follow-up instructions that are coordinated with the next care setting for all ED patients.
• Provide test results for patients receiving care in accordance with VHA Directive 1088, Communicating Test Results to Providers & Patients.
• Attend staff meetings as required by Facility Chief of Service, Chief of Staff, or designee.