Salary and Expenses

Salary Scale and Resources for Pay

Salary Scale

Graduate Medical Education Office Resources

 


Book and Travel Allowances

PGY 1 & PGY 2 $900.00 book allowance
PGY 3 & PGY 4 $1000.00 book allowance each year + $1500.00 travel allowance for attending one national meeting during this two year period 
Chief Residents $1500.00 book allowance
Fellows  $1250.00 book allowance

Sternberg and Henry's books are provided to new/incoming Resident/Fellows at no cost annually.

In addition to the single national meeting that senior residents (PGY3 or PGY4) are afforded, the costs for transportation, room and board, and incidental expenses can be reimbursed to residents and fellows who present original research in the form of platform or poster presentation at national or regional meetings, up to a maximum of $1500 per instance, as funds permit. This may occur at ANY PGY level. The resident must seek approval by a faculty member involved in the research project (Faculty Mentor), the Program Director, and the Department Chairman well in advance of the meeting.

 

Professional Society Memberships

The department pays dues for all residents for membership in the American Society of Clinical Pathology, the Virginia Society for Pathology, the U.S.-Canadian Academy of Pathology, and the Medical Society of Virginia. Residents are also encouraged to join the College of American Pathologists, which is free while in training. One or more residents are usually appointed by the Virginia Society of Pathology to serve in the Resident Sections of the CAP and ASCP.

 

Meals while on call

On call meal allowances are determined by the Graduate Medical Education Office in July of each year based upon call time. These monies are accessed through your VCU One Card (identification card). Meals are provided based upon hours worked in-house per week.

 

Parking

Available through payroll deduction. Parking is subsidized by MCVH as a benefit to housestaff.

Uniforms

All Pathology housestaff are provided with 1 white coat, 1 vest and 5 sets of scrubs, at no cost. Laundry support for scrubs is provided by Linen Services.

 

Benefits

Vacation and Sick Leave

Housestaff are granted up to 30 calendar days per year in sick leave. Sick leave cannot be carried over to the next year, nor will extra compensation be allowed in lieu of sick leave.

Housestaff are granted three weeks of vacation leave per calendar year.

Vacation approved only when resident coverage is arranged. No more than 1 week of vacation at a time on a 3-month rotation block. Try to schedule vacations by October 1.


Professional and Personal Insurance

Professional Liability Insurance: The Medical College of Virginia Hospitals is self-insured for medical malpractice and provides professional liability (medical malpractice) coverage for each member of the MCV housestaff. Coverage is available for any claim arising out of health care or professional services provided to a patient by a member of the MCV housestaff while on duty as assigned in one of MCV’s affiliated hospitals or programs. Coverage is not provided for any other health care or professional services, e.g., moonlighting activities at outside facilities or institutions. Coverage is not provided for intentional misconduct, including acts committed while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or narcotics, criminal acts, sexual misconduct, or illegal activity. Coverage is available up to the limitation on recovery in the Virginia Tort Claims Act (if applicable); for claims to which the Virginia Tort Claims Act does not apply, coverage is available up to the amount of the medical malpractice cap on recovery contained in the Virginia Medical Malpractice Act. This coverage covers all costs associated with alleged medical negligence claims, including indemnity payments, attorneys’ fees, expert witness fees, and other expenses and defense costs. Coverage is provided for all alleged medical negligence claims that arise out of health care or professional services provided while the resident is enrolled in his/her training program, even if the claim is not asserted until after the resident completed or ceased participation in the training program (also known as “tail coverage”).

Medical Insurance: 

    • VCUHS ChoiceCARE (PPO) Plan
    • Receive care from any qualified physician at any time: primary care physician selection and specialist referrals are not required
    • VCUHS Network: Inpatient and Outpatient Care at VCUHS is covered at a discounted rate.
    • Second Network: Inpatient care is covered but at a higher out of pocket cost than at VCUHS.
    • Third (out-of-network) Network: Available with deductible and higher coinsurance
    • Prescription drug coverage: Three-tier copayment structure. Discounts when using VCUHS Pharmacies. Mail order and retail pharmacies available.
    • Vision coverage: In-network and out-of-network. Annual exams and eyeglasses or allowance for contact lenses. Discounts for laser vision surgery
    • Wellness and Preventive benefits
    • Pre-natal Management Program
    • Disease Management Program

Dental Insurance:  

VCUHS Direct Dental
VCUHS Direct Dental uses only the providers of the VCU School of Dentistry. You have a choice of 2 levels of providers: Advanced Education (graduate level residents) and the Dental Faculty Practice. The patient selects the level of provider, obtains the treatment, and pays the patient’s share of the costs based on the plan design. The VCU School of Dentistry will bill the Plan for the Plan’s share of the cost. 

    • Allows the patient and the dentist to determine the appropriate treatment plan,
    • Eliminates the need to have a treatment plan approved by an insurance company,
    • Has no pre-existing condition limitation,
    • Has no exclusions or exceptions to coverage,
    • Eliminates the need to file claims
    • Uses the VCU School of Dentistry as the exclusive provider network, you cannot use a community dentist under this plan.

Dental PPO:

    • PPO network and out of network benefits available.
    • Preventive care: covered in full when using in-network providers.
    • Basic services (e.g., fillings, recementing of crowns): covered at 80% of reasonable and customary (R&C) charge, after deductible.
    • Major services (e.g., bridges, crowns): covered at 50% of R&C charge, after deductible.
    • Orthodontia: covered for adults and children, up to a lifetime maximum of $1,500 with no deductible.

Life Insurance: 

    • Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance: provided at no cost in the amount of 2x base salary.
    • Supplemental Life Insurance: purchase additional coverage for yourself, your spouse, and/or your children).

Disability Insurance:  

    • Short Term Disability (optional): provides a benefit of 60% of base salary after 14 days of disability up to 11 weeks.
    • Long Term Disability: Basic Long Term Disability (LTD): provides a benefit of 50% of base salary after 90 days of disability.
    • Buy-up LTD coverage (optional): increase LTD to a benefit of 60% of base salary after 90 days of disability.

Other Insurance:

Health Insurance is available for each member of the VCUHS housestaff and their immediate family members through payroll deduction. Group Life and Disability Insurance is provided at no cost to the housestaff member. Supplemental Group Life Insurance is available at the housestaff member’s expense.

Eligibility and Effective Dates

Full-time (35-40 hours per week) and part-time (20-34.9 hours per week) benefit eligible employees may choose to enroll in all of the VCUHS Employee Benefits Program options. Basic Life and AD&D Insurance and retirement benefits begin the first full pay period. Medical, dental, supplemental life insurance and disability benefits begin the first day of the month coinciding with or following your date of hire.

 

Flexible Spending Accounts

  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account: Pay for eligible dependent care expenses with tax-free dollars contributed to your Dependent Care FSA.
  • Health Flexible Spending Account: Pay for eligible medical expenses with tax-free dollars contributed to your Health FSA.

Retirement

VCUHS Retirement Plan - 401 (a)

  • VCUHS will provide a defined contribution using a combination of the participant’s age and years of retirement plan participation applied to a grade scale. Contributions increase with age and years of service for benefit eligible part time and full time employees. Housestaff, Fellows and VRS Retirees are not eligible.
  • Investing your money: You choose to invest this money with one of three investment companies. Each company offers a variety of investment funds from which you may choose.
  • Vesting: You are vested (entitled to 100% of your account's value) after three years of continuous participation.

VCUHS Savings Retirement Plan - 457 (b)

  • Defer up to 85% of your base annual salary or the current annual maximum contribution limit (whichever is less) tax-free; money is taxed when you make withdrawals.
  • Investing your money: You decide how much to contribute each pay period and how to invest this money with one of three investment companies. Each company offers a number of investment funds from which you may choose.
  • VCUHS matches your contribution: VCUHS will match 100% of your deferral up to 2% of your base salary. Housestaff, Fellows and VRS Retirees are not eligible for the match. 

Family Care Services (Child and Adult)

Child care. VCUHS Child Care Centers are available for children of hospital faculty and staff. The program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and our Reggio-inspired learning philosophy is based upon proven child developmental and educational theories that promote the development of essential physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills. 

Children are encouraged to explore their individual potentials in learning centers which focus on arts and crafts; music and movement; reading readiness; math readiness; fine and gross motor development; science; and role playing. The centers are open every day of the week and accept children from ages six weeks to five years. Tuition can be paid for through payroll deduction. VCUHS Child Care Center: (804) 828-6291.

Postpartum Doula Services are available for any benefited employee delivering at VCUHS. VCUHS Postpartum Doula Services: (804) 628-0249 or (804) 827-1702.

Adult care. The VCUHS Adult Care Center is available to employees of VCUHS and VCU. The program provides adult dependents who need minimal intervention services. The program is located in the same facility as the child care center. The separate rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows that look out on to the playground. Participants can elect to participate in intergenerational activities with the children or enjoy quiet time in the facility’s “quiet room.” Other features of this program include: low staff-to-participant ratios; subsidized daily costs; and activities and meals provided throughout the day. Select the following link to see a short video about this amazing program: VCU Adult Day Services. Phone: (804) 828-8027.

Sick child and back up care for adults and children. Together with Bright Horizons, VCUHS offers back up care for employees whose regular child care — or adult care — falls through. Employees can use 20 backup days per calendar year. Details about this benefit can be found on the employee Intranet site. 

SelectPlus+/Sittercity helps employees find local caregivers to meet their families' needs. Membership for this benefit is paid by VCUHS and provides access to Sittercity (for childcare) and Years Ahead (for senior care).

 

Tuition Assistance

Full-time and part-time employees may be eligible to participate in the "Tuition Assistance" program. Under this program, your supervisor may approve tuition assistance for up to a maximum of 18 credit hours per semester for full-time employees and six credit hours for part-time employees. Your courses must be taken for credit and should be taken during non-scheduled work hours. Courses must be related to the VCUHS Mission. Employees may attend any accredited school. After working in a benefit-eligible position for three years, married legal spouses and eligible dependent children can take advantage of Dependent Tuition Assistance. Dependents must be in a degree seeking program with VCU.

MYLife Program


The MYLife Program promotes work/life balance by offering VCUHS employees discounts on a variety of goods and services throughout the Richmond area, including: home improvements/repair, online grocery shopping, auto care, banking, child care and fitness facilities. Details can be found on the employee Intranet.

 

Credit Union


Membership with the Virginia Credit Union (VACU) is as easy as:

  • complete the necessary application
  • pay a one-time membership fee
  • deposit the pre-established minimum amount into the Credit Union's regular savings account

 

VCU Recreational Sports


VCUHS employees may purchase a Recreational Sports membership that can be used at any Recreational Sports facility:

  • MCV Campus Recreation and Aquatic Center (10th & Turpin Streets)
  • Stuart C. Siegel Center (1200 W. Broad Street; Recreational Sports side)
  • Franklin Street Pool
  • Thalhimer Tennis Center

In addition, we offer the Outdoor Adventure Program/Outing Rental Center, located at 130 South Linden Street. VCUHS staff can register for low cost trips and clinics, including climbing, kayaking, caving, whitewater rafting, skiing and more. The rental center offers canoes, backpacks, stoves, tents and other equipment at low cost rates; we also have a wide variety of books, maps and guides available.

 

On-Campus Services

  • ATMs/Banking
  • Food vendors
  • Library
  • Pharmacies
  • Post Office
  • Concierge services
  • Prescription Mail order
  • Employee only pharmacy

Rec Sports programs and facilities

Membership information (or call Doris Bryant at 804-828-6397)

Larrick Student Center Map

 

VCU Basketball Tickets


Employees may purchase season tickets to home basketball games at reduced prices through payroll deduction. Single game discount tickets also are available throughout the season.

 

Direct Deposit


Direct deposit is a condition of employment for all VCUHS employees paid by the VCUHS Payroll Operations Department. Direct deposit promotes automation and streamlining efficiencies by offering employees faster access to their pay and the additional security, convenience and flexibility of electronic banking.

Stress/Counseling Resources


Confidential stress resources are available. Please see the Housestaff Handbook for listings or contact your Chief Resident, Program Director or the GME office. The employee Assistance Program (EAP) and GME office provides referrals.

 

Additional Time for Completing Board Requirements

In certain cases, authorized absence of housestaff members may jeopardize Board certification. In the event that the time missed needs to be made up to satisfy educational requirements (e.g., at the end of the normal term of appointment), the institution will be requested to continue to pay all salary and fringe benefits during the extended appointment.

 

Vaccinations

MCVH/VCU provides vaccines with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Hospital Infection Control Practices (HICPAC) as well as the MCVH Infection Control Policy.

 

Hospital Policy

All housestaff are recognized as members of the Hospital Professional Staff. As such they are expected to know Hospital Policies including but not limited to: Patient Confidentiality, Sexual Harassment, Drug Testing for Cause, Guest Relations, Informed Consent, Risk Management and Advance Directives. Housestaff must respect patient confidentiality at all times and in all locations. Housestaff should be familiar with the Hospital Guest Relations program. All Housestaff are expected to participate in hospital wide education programs as requested. Please view Policies and Procedures through Employee Self Serve.

This agreement is intended to comply with all the requirement of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

For additional information on Benefits please visit VCUH Human Resource Department.