Physician - Assistant Chief Primary Care Service

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

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This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Applications will remain on file until September 30, 2026.

In conjunction with, and at the direction of, the Associate Chief of Staff for Primary Care :

• Oversees design, implementation, and evaluation of clinical services consistent with evidence-based best practices.
• Oversees the development of program activities, services, record-keeping, schedules, policies, evaluation procedures, marketing brochures, educational resources, etc.
• Ensures implementation of the PACT Team model in Primary Care Service and establishes practices of huddling, rounding, utilization of scrubbing tools, and completion of timely view of alerts as required by policy.
• Works closely with executive leadership, managerial and clinical leaders in formulating local policies, resource planning for manpower, equipment, and space.
• Collaborates with medical center management to meet mutual long and short-range goals.
• Works with supervisors / section leads to oversee work schedules and assignments, tours of duty, and to make certain that station time and attendance policies are followed in effort to accomplish of all necessary work, based on available resources, local Health Care System requirements, labor agreements, VA, and Federal personnel regulations.
• Defines expectations for work completion, while providing flexibility that reflects the complex nature of the problems of the Veteran population served.
• Addresses coverage issues, manages day to day operations, liaises with administrative staff both internal and external to ensure full clinical operations.
• Prioritizes and advocates for clinic space, equipment and technology resource allocation that best meets the needs of the service and facility.
• Collaborates with ACOS concerning decision-making about budgeting and resources to support clinical services and admission criteria, program operations, and reporting requirements.
• Ensures independent licensed providers are properly credentialed and privileged, complete service line orientation, and that FPPEs / OPPEs are conducted in accordance with Medical Center Bylaws and VHA / Joint Commission guidelines.
• Engages in the provision of advice, counsel, instruction, and mentoring to employees regarding work and administrative matters.
• Works collaboratively with personnel and supervisors regarding performance or disciplinary issues that may arise in their respective areas of responsibility.
• Demonstrates accurate judgment on and assists with professional / administrative actions.
• Works with supervisors and managers to monitor the quality of services including factors such as efficiency, effectiveness, and timeliness.
• Serves as first level supervisor for Lead Physicians at Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).
• Serves as a mentor and / or teacher for providers and staff.
• Serves as primary care provider for a small panel of patients (approximately 10% clinical time) providing acute, chronic, and preventive medicine services for male and female Veterans.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment) : Learn more. EDRP Authorized : Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN7EDRPFacilityCoordinators2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions / assistance

Recruitment / Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : Authorized

Pay : Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases

Paid Time Off : 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME)

Retirement : Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

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

Licensure : 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

CME : Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)

Malpractice : Free liability protection with tail coverage provided

Contract : No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday; 8 : 00am - 4 : 30pm (Subject to change based on agency needs).

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

Basic Requirements :

[(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR

(3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences.

Residents currently enrolled in ACGME / AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e., not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee-basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather, they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs.

Preferred Experience : 10 years of prior clinical experience and 5 years of prior leadership experience preferred.

Reference : For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

Physical Requirements : The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking, sitting, talking, driving, use of the telephone, etc. Strenuous physical activity is not required although the incumbent is expected to withstand pressure and stress as part of their day-to-day activities. Light lifting, under 15 pounds, Light carrying, under 15 pounds, Hearing (aid permitted).

Education

Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are :

NOTE : The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration / Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA / OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.