The Cardiologist serves within the Medicine Service at the Marion VA Medical Center. The incumbent works under the administrative supervision of the Chief of Medicine and the Chief of Staff, providing comprehensive, evidence-based cardiovascular care to Veterans. This position supports the Medical Center's mission of delivering high-quality, patient-centered care to those who have served our nation.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Provides direct evaluation, diagnosis, and management of Veterans with a broad spectrum of cardiovascular conditions including coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, valvular disease, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease
• Performs and interprets diagnostic studies including echocardiography, nuclear stress testing, exercise stress testing, ambulatory cardiac monitoring, and 12-lead ECGs
• Performs cardiac procedures within the scope of training and privileges, which may include cardiac catheterization, cardioversion, and pacemaker/ICD interrogation as applicable
• Manages both inpatient and outpatient cardiology consultations in coordination with primary care, hospitalist, and subspecialty teams
• Documents all clinical encounters accurately and in a timely manner in the electronic health record (EHR/CPRS/VistA)
• Participates in quality improvement, patient safety initiatives, and peer review processes within the Medicine Service
• Supports compliance with Joint Commission standards, ACC/AHA clinical practice guidelines, VA Directives, and VHA Handbooks
• Participates in morbidity and mortality conferences, cardiology department meetings, and service-level performance improvement activities
• Monitors and contributes to key performance indicators including heart failure readmission rates, anticoagulation management, and preventive cardiology metrics
• Supervises and provides education to residents, medical students, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants rotating through the Cardiology service as applicable
• Maintains required CME, and all VA-mandated training and competencies
• Demonstrates professionalism, ethical practice, and cultural sensitivity to the diverse needs of the Veteran population, including those with service-connected cardiovascular conditions
• Participates in committee assignments as designated by the Chief of Medicine or Chief of Staff
• Adheres to VA policies regarding timekeeping, leave requests, and scheduling obligations
• Participates in VISN-level cardiology workgroups or telehealth cardiology programs as assigned
• Performs other duties as assigned

Paid Time Off:

• 26 Days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave
• 13 Days paid sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation
• 11 Federal holidays  with pay annually
• 5 Days paid absence to attend approved CME courses

Insurance:

• Health Insurance : VA employees have an outstanding number of health insurance plans from which to choose (premiums are partially paid by VA) Lifetime Healthcare Insurance options available
• Dental & Vision : Our insurance options also include exceptional vision and dental plans (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• VA employees have the option to use Flexible Spending Accounts , which allow you to use tax-free dollars to pay for medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance plan
• Term life insurance , family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government
• Long-term care insurance is available as an option

Federal Retirement Plan:

• VA employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits, 2) FERS-RAE basic benefits (pension), and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan
• How is the pension funded? VA employees automatically contribute 4.4% of their salary each pay period and the VA contributes 12.2% of the employee’s salary each pay period for a total annual contribution percentage equal to 16.6% of the employee’s salary
• Similar to the 401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector, the TSP allows employees to tax defer a portion of their income each year, subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. For calendar year 2025, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $23,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $31,000.
• The Federal Government also provides an automatic basic contribution (1% of salary) and up to 4% of salary in matching contributions , depending on the amount of the employee contribution
• For retired military personnel, these benefits are in addition to full monthly retirement pay or pension
• In addition to FERS, VA provides health care insurance coverage for retired personnel
• Disability Retirement
• Employees are vested in a federal pension after only 5 years service

The VA Medical Center in Marion, Illinois, was built in 1942. Our present Health Care System provides care to 49,000 veterans annually in 27 counties in Southern Illinois, 8 counties in Southwestern Indiana, and 17 counties in Northwest Kentucky.

The VA Medical Center in Marion, Illinois, is a general medical and surgical facility that operates 55 acute care beds and a 60 bed Community Living Center. Ten Outpatient Clinics that provide primary care and behavioral medicine services are located in Harrisburg; Carbondale; Effingham; and Mt. Vernon, IL; Paducah; Madisonville; Owensboro; and Mayfield, Kentucky; Vincennes and Evansville, IN.