Physician - Assistant Chief, Southern Tier (Stockton)

Summary

Eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Award amounts up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of one to five years are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an VA-approved school in the year of graduation
• Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia
• Physician residency training completed in an accredited core specialty training program leading to board certification
• Residents currently enrolled in an ACGME/AOA accredited residency program and otherwise meeting the basic requirements are eligible to be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Board certified or board eligible in internal medicine or family medicine (preferred)
• Possess physician experience in primary care (internal medicine or family medicine)
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) license
• Physical requirements: must meet physical standards for the position; subject to random drug testing for illegal drug use; requires lifting 15‑44 pounds, pushing, reaching above shoulder, using both hands, walking and standing for 3‑5 hours, kneeling, rapid mental and muscular coordination, depth perception, and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades. Hearing aid permitted.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a practicing physician responsible for the overall management of patients enrolled for healthcare services provided by the Northern California VA Health Care System (NCHCS).
• Handle administrative tasks associated with clinic operations.
• Allocate 30‑50% of time to clinical care; 30‑50% to administrative duties; 0‑20% to resident/medical student teaching.
• Serve as a role model to peers.
• Be knowledgeable of collective bargaining agreements and initiate, authorize, and complete disciplinary action pursuant to system rules and policies.
• Manage human capital by ensuring efficient staffing models to enhance clinic access and maximize efficiency.
• Prepare for Joint Commission and regulatory surveys.
• Strategically plan future clinic staffing needs for all disciplines represented within the clinic.
• Provide education to patients and families as necessary.
• Coordinate strategic planning efforts for health‑care delivery with effective business planning to assure maximum health‑care quality and efficiency.
• Provide reports to the ACOS and Deputy ACOS, Primary Care Services—advice and counseling in all aspects of defining and accomplishing the creation of an integrated health‑care delivery system at the Southern tier clinics.
• Establish multiple ongoing mechanisms for open communication throughout all levels within NCHCS.
• Monitor compliance with standards of practice.
• Encourage clinical innovation.
• Facilitate recruitment and retention of highly qualified clinical staff and ensure representation of clinic interests and concerns in NCHCS clinical committees.
• Evaluate and treat acute and chronic health problems for scheduled and unscheduled patients in the clinic setting.
• Perform histories and physical examinations.
• Provide appropriate documentation—including history, physical exam findings, diagnosis, definitive care plan, and disposition of the patient.
• Ensure patients are appropriately closed‑out with clear next steps of care.
• Ensure each patient receives a list of current medications and an appointment list at close‑out.
• Perform office procedures within approved privileges.
• Prescribe medications as appropriate.
• Order routine laboratory, radiological, and diagnostic tests and provide initial interpretation of results.
• Communicate test results to patients.
• Initiate and expedite requests for consultations and special tests.
• Screen patients to determine the need for hospitalization.
• Function as a preceptor for residents in the clinic setting as assigned by NCHCS.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with annual performance bonus and regular salary increases.
• Paid time off: 50‑55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and up to 5 days paid absence for CME).
• Traditional federal pension with five‑year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care insurance (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
• Possible $1,000 per year CME reimbursement (full‑time with board certification).
• Free liability protection with tail coverage for malpractice.
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.