Primary Care Section Chief (Physician MD/DO)

Quick Facts

• Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:30am–4:00pm
• Recruitment/Relocation incentives: sign-on bonus may be available for highly qualified candidates
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): eligible; approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (1–5 years) determined after application review
• Pay: competitive salary with annual performance bonus and regular salary increases
• Paid time off: 50–55 days/year (annual leave, sick leave, federal holidays, and possible CME absence)
• Retirement: federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions
• Insurance: federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care
• Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory
• CME: possible $1,000/year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)
• Malpractice: free liability protection with tail coverage
• Contract: no physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting

Description

Lead the Primary Care section by planning and running monthly section meetings, overseeing medical care delivery, ensuring appropriate clinic coverage, and monitoring provider performance for GIM/Primary Care teams. Collaborate with the Chief of Primary Care on staffing and recruitment, supervise trainees and advanced providers, and ensure documentation, order review, and quality processes align with VA standards. The position may include a sign-on bonus and offers eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct monthly Primary Care section meetings; attend required Section Chief meetings with the Chief of Primary Care
• Monitor performance of GIM/Primary Care staff providers and implement performance improvement interventions (e.g., Peer Reviews, FPPE/OPPE); ensure Provider Activity Report (PAR) reflects appropriate data
• Collaborate to maintain appropriate staffing levels and support recruitment of well-qualified staff
• Maintain an up-to-date schedule to provide appropriate coverage within Primary Care clinics
• Oversee all aspects of medical care for patients under your care
• Support residents, medical students, and nurse practitioners in evaluation and treatment; participate in corrective actions when needed
• Evaluate patients for changes in physical/mental status and ensure thorough Primary Care notes, assessment/plan, consult referral/planning, and required supervision concurrence
• Review and sign off on all GIM/Primary Care orders before leaving the hospital daily
• Provide outpatient primary care evaluation/treatment and timely consultative services to non-medicine services
• Be available during scheduled tour hours for urgent assessments and interventions as part of the PACT care team
• Maintain appropriate credentials and privileges
• Participate in committees, Medicine Service hospital in-services, and education programs; assist in enforcement of VA TMS and BLS requirements
• Participate in VA peer review processes for continuous quality improvement
• Support graduate and undergraduate medical education and scientific research, as appropriate

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (non-citizens only if it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens per VA policy)
• MD/DO degree from a VA-approved institution
• Current, full, unrestricted license to practice medicine in a U.S. state/territory/commonwealth or DC
• Completion of accredited residency training leading to board certification eligibility (with VA-approved alternative pathways)
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Background/security investigation eligibility
• Successful pre-employment physical evaluation
• Urinalysis drug screening prior to appointment for testing-designated positions
• Influenza vaccination requirement for VA Health Care Personnel
• Selective Service registration required for eligible males (born after 12/31/1959)
• Complete VA onboarding and application requirements; provide acceptable identification
• Meet physical requirements for the position (e.g., heavy lifting/carrying and sustained walking/standing as specified)