Physician - Primary Care

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Candidates must meet the specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. The 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 of the application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. 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 completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physicians 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. United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy. Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine. Degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. Approved residencies include: Residencies accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) in the list published for the year the residency was completed. One year of post‑medical‑school training (internship, first year of residency, or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post‑training independent practice under a full and unrestricted license in the United States. Non‑US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States under a full and unrestricted license. Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs who otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis. PRPs are not independent practitioners and will not be privileged; they have a scope of practice that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs. In rare and unusual circumstances, the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for physicians whose record of experience and qualifications warrants such action. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Preferred Experience: Board certification or eligibility in internal medicine or family practice; current Basic Life Support certification; experience as a primary care physician in the VA System; experience with an electronic medical or health record. Physical Requirements: Applicants must meet the physical standards for the position, including a required physical examination prior to placement and ongoing drug testing. The position requires lifting 15–44 pounds, pushing, reaching above shoulder level, use of both hands, walking and standing for 3–5 hours, kneeling, rapid mental and muscular coordination, depth perception, and ability to distinguish basic colors. Hearing aid use is permitted. Duties Work Schedule: Monday through Friday – 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, excluding Federal Government holidays. The Physician serves as a Primary Care Provider (PCP) at a Community Based Outpatient Clinic operating under a Patient Aligned Care Team model. The PCP and team—composed of a PCP, RN, LVN, and Clerk—manage a panel of approximately 800–1,200 patients. The PCP provides primary care services in a team‑based setting, including chronic disease management and preventive health. Common diagnoses encountered include diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, degenerative arthritis, depression, congestive heart failure, and chronic pain. Responsibilities: Evaluate, diagnose, treat, and provide consultation for non‑surgical adult patients of all ages without life‑threatening complications, encompassing a wide variety of diseases, injuries, and disorders. Assess, stabilize, and determine disposition of patients with emergent conditions consistent with medical staff policy regarding emergency and consultative call services. Collaborate with and oversee mid‑level providers such as other nurse practitioners and work collaboratively with other specialties and subspecialties inside and outside the VA system to manage or co‑manage patients’ health. Additional duties as assigned. Benefits Competitive salary with annual performance bonus and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 50–55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, and up to 5 days paid absence for CME). Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution. Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, & long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). Licensure: One full and unrestricted license from any U.S. 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. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentive. #J-18808-Ljbffr