Physician (Associate Chief of Staff, Primary Care)

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)—a student‑loan reimbursement program. Applicants must satisfy VHA policy eligibility and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Award amounts (up to $200,000) and eligibility periods (one to five years) are set by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all basic requirements below. Physicians pending completion of training or license requirements may be tentatively selected but cannot be hired until all requirements are met. Current VA physicians who met the prior appointment standard at initial appointment are presumed to meet the basic requirements.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship (non‑citizens may be appointed only if qualified citizens cannot be recruited per VA policy)
• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine
• Degree earned from a VA‑approved school for the year of completion
• Full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, Commonwealth, or D.C.
• Completed residency training accredited by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program leading to board‑certification eligibility
• Residency options: (1) Residency accredited by ACGME/AOA and listed for the year completed; (2) One‑year post‑medical‑school training (internship or transitional year) approved by ACGME/AOA followed by two years of independent practice; (3) Non‑U.S. residency followed by at least three years of verified independent practice in the U.S.
• Residents currently enrolled in accredited residency programs who otherwise meet basic requirements may be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs) on an intermittent basis.
• PRPs must be fully licensed physicians; they are not independent practitioners and will not be privileged.
• PRPs may have a scope of practice that permits certain restricted duties under supervision.
• In rare cases, the Facility Director may submit a memo to the VISN Director for reasonable exceptions to residency requirements, subject to supervision approval.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred: Board‑eligible or board‑certified physician in Internal Medicine or Family Medicine.
• Prior experience leading or managing a large, multi‑site primary‑care operation or similar health‑service line.
• Physical Requirements: Pre‑placement and periodic evaluations are required to ensure the ability to perform essential job functions.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, visit

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Primary Care Service in partnership with the PC Deputy Chief, PC Chief Nurse, and PC Administrative Officer.
• Collaborate to deliver primary‑care services throughout the medical center and eight community‑based outpatient clinics in Kentucky and Indiana.
• Direct occupational‑health and women’s‑health services.
• Ensure cost‑effective, high‑quality care across all service areas.
• Oversee human and fiscal resources for clinical, training, and research missions.
• Supervise licensed independent practitioners while operating within a matrix organization with shared accountability.
• Maintain ongoing clinical competence through direct patient care in one’s specialty.
• Partner with the Chief Nurse and Administrative Officer to form a high‑performing management team responsible for all Primary Care operations.
• Collaborate with RRVAMC clinical leaders in strategic planning, business initiatives, and cost‑effectiveness efforts.
• Build and articulate a Primary‑Care vision, goals, strategies, and tactics that emphasize quality, efficiency, and veteran satisfaction.
• Manage proactively a broad continuum of programs—including personnel, equipment, supplies, space, contracts, and information‑system resources.
• Promote data fluency by using tools to measure and monitor safety, quality, access, efficiency, productivity, and patient/employee experience; benchmark performance; inform resource allocation and improvement opportunities.
• Maintain policies, procedures, and clinical practices aligned with evidence‑based inpatient and emergency standards, national accreditations, and VHA standards.
• Ensure all business operations and health‑information practices comply with laws, regulations, standards, VHA business‑partner expectations, and the highest compliance and integrity standards.
• Stay current on healthcare changes within and outside the VA and encourage demonstration projects, pilots, and experimental approaches to improve outcomes and revenue.
• Develop timely budgets, monitor fiscal activity, and manage fund‑control points responsibly.
• Meet VHA Core Competencies and performance measures specific to Primary Care; coordinate with other services as needed and review the annual performance‑measurement system.

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).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care—many federal programs transferable into retirement.
• Licensure: One full, unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory.
• CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement for full‑time board‑certified physicians.
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided.
• Contract: No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.
• Work Schedule: Full‑time.