Physician (Medicine Service Chief)

Quick Facts

• Role: Physician Service Chief (Medicine)

• Focus: Clinical and administrative leadership for Medicine service operations across multiple VA sites

• Time Split: ~50% administrative duties, ~50% clinical care

Description

This role oversees the clinical and administrative operations for a growing group of specialty providers and associated services, including cardiology, pulmonology, neurology, urgent care, and acute medicine. The Chief of Medicine is an operational, working physician chief responsible for day-to-day service operations, coverage/assignments, consult management, and performance/communication improvements across VA and with community referrals when appropriate.

The position also includes strategic planning, budgeting, policy implementation, participation in national/VISN training, and direct supervision of licensed independent staff in the service.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support process improvement efforts and leadership committees (e.g., Medical Staff Executive Committee, Medical Executive Council, Professional Standards Board, Peer Review)

• Provide strategic planning, oversee budgeting, and implement performance improvement initiatives

• Manage daily operations: assignments, coverage, and cross-service collaboration

• Attend required national and VISN training and conference calls

• Assist with consult management and support SAIL improvements; ensure effective handoffs and communication within VA and with outside referrals when appropriate

• Communicate effectively with community specialists and VA personnel at all levels

• Supervise licensed independent staff: review/authorize leave, ensure coverage, and ensure annual performance appraisals

• Implement VHA handbooks, rules, directives, information letters, policies, and regulations

• Apply management theory, cost-benefit analysis, and statistical analysis to influence policy and administrative practices

• Plan, organize, develop, implement, control, and refine a comprehensive patient management and clinical support/administrative program to meet clinical, procedural, legal, and administrative requirements

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (or VA-approved exception for non-citizens)

• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree from an approved allopathic/osteopathic program

• Current, full, unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state/territory/commonwealth or DC

• Completion of approved residency training leading to eligibility for board certification (or VA-accepted exceptions)

• Proficiency in spoken and written English

• Physically and mentally able to perform essential functions

• Background/security investigation

• Pre-employment physical evaluation

• Drug test required; subject to random drug testing

• Selective Service registration for eligible males

• Complete VA online onboarding and pre-employment requirements; provide acceptable identification (REAL ID compliant per 5/7/2025 rule)

• Seasonal influenza vaccination required for VA Health Care Personnel

Benefits

• Competitive salary with annual performance bonus and regular salary increases

• Paid Time Off: 50–55 days per year (including annual leave, sick leave, paid federal holidays, and possible CME absence)

• Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) plus federal 401K with up to 5% VA contributions

• Insurance: federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care options (many transferable into retirement)

• CME: possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (with full-time status and board certification)

• Malpractice: free liability protection with tail coverage

• Contract: no physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting

• Work schedule: 8:00am–4:30pm, Monday–Friday (subject to change based on needs)

• Recruitment incentives: may be authorized to a highly qualified candidate