Chief of Primary Care Service (Physician)

Quick Facts

• Role: Physician Chief of Primary Care Service (lead management within Primary Care)

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Practice mix: 70% administrative / 30% direct clinical practice

Description

Provide professional and administrative leadership for the Primary Care Service, responsible for strategic direction, business planning, program development, and implementation of Primary Care across VA-owned and community-based outpatient clinic sites. Supervise physicians, physician assistants, APRNs, and Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) staff, and report directly to the Deputy Chief of Staff, Uptown Division.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a Primary Care Service business plan aligned with facility, VISN, and VHA Primary Care strategic priorities

• Provide strategic direction for Primary Care program development, organization, and implementation across the facility and CBOCs

• Serve as accountable official for Primary Care resources (personnel, space, equipment, supplies, operating budget)

• Ensure timely access to Primary Care, including appropriate consultation services and Veteran same-day access

• Ensure adequate staffing, including alert surrogate coverage and timely patient access across all Primary Care sites

• Direct continuous measurement and improvement of quality of care; develop and implement performance monitoring measures

• Monitor clinical outcomes using Pay-for-Performance metrics, PACT Compass measures, and access/coordination/continuity indicators

• Participate in selection of team members; oversee recruitment, onboarding, and retention of Primary Care providers and PACT staff

• Provide supervision and assure appropriate actions in promotions, selections, rewards, recognition, training, discipline, and problem resolution

• Participate in facility, VISN, and national committees and task forces relevant to Primary Care

• Support academic affiliations, resident/student rotations, and clinical teaching as applicable

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of Staff

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (non-citizens only if VA cannot recruit qualified citizens, per VA policy)

• MD or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an approved school

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

• Completed accredited residency training approved by VA leading to eligibility for board certification

• Board certification in internal medicine or family medicine

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• Background/security investigation

• Complete online onboarding and pre-employment requirements; provide acceptable identification

• Pass pre-employment physical evaluation; up to 25% travel time may be required

• Seasonal influenza vaccination program participation

• Urinalysis testing for illegal drug use if in a testing-designated position

• Selective Service registration required for males born after 12/31/1959

• Clearance from medical evaluation and lab work

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases

• Paid time off: 50–55 days per year (annual leave, sick leave, paid federal holidays, and possible CME-related paid absence)

• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA

• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance options (many programs can be carried into retirement)

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

• Free liability protection with tail coverage provided

• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting