Physician - Primary Care Section Chief

Summary

This position is 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 amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review.

Qualifications

To qualify, candidates must meet the basic requirements listed below and any additional requirements detailed in the job announcement. Applicants pending completion of training or license requirements may be considered but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship; non‑citizens may only be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from a VA‑approved school.
• Full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Residency training: completion of an accredited residency program approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or one year of post‑medical‑school training followed by two years of independent practice, or non‑U.S. residency followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred experience: supervisory experience.
• Physical requirements as outlined in VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Operationally oversee the Primary Care Section; 30% time dedicated to administration, 70% to clinical duties.
• Provide comprehensive primary care for Veterans and ensure quality standards are met.
• Manage day‑to‑day outpatient operations, staff assignments, coverage, and collaboration with other service lines.
• Attend national and VISN training and conference calls; implement required changes to meet performance measures.
• Supervise resident and student education, medical staff leadership, research, quality improvement, equipment maintenance, and patient care.
• Coordinate recruitment incentives, bonus and relocation assistance (not authorized). Apply for EDRP within four months of start date.
• Responsible for budgetary constraints, resource management, team environment, and proactive service improvement.
• Maintain full, unrestricted U.S. license and, if board certified, receive CME reimbursement up to two thousand five hundred dollars per year.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with annual performance bonus; regular salary increases.
• Paid Time Off: 50–55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays, plus 5 days CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care insurance; many federal programs are transferable to retirement.
• Malpractice coverage with tail protection.
• Work schedule Monday‑Friday, 8:00 a.m.‑4:00 p.m.; no employment contract and no significant moonlighting restrictions.

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