Physician - Primary Care

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval awards can be up to $200,000 and the eligibility period ranges from one to five years, as 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, applicants must meet the basic requirements and any additional requirements specified 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 physicians in the 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

• United States citizenship (non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy)
• Doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic or osteopathic medicine
• Degree must have been obtained from a school 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, or Commonwealth of the United States or in 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
• Either: (1) an ACGME or AOA accredited residency program completed, or (2) one year of post‑medical‑school training followed by two years of independent practice, or (3) a non‑US residency program followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States
• Residents currently enrolled in accredited residency training programs and who otherwise meet the basic requirements are eligible to be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs) — full‑licensed physicians on an intermittent basis who are not considered independent practitioners and are granted a scope of practice for limited duties under supervision
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred experience: board certification in internal medicine or family medicine; two years of primary‑care/family‑medicine experience
• Physical requirements: light lifting and carrying under 15 pounds; use of fingers, both hands required; walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending for 0.5 hours each; both legs required; environmental factors include working closely with others and working alone
• Reference:

Duties

• Deliver high‑quality, patient‑centered primary care to patients enrolled in the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System
• Manage an assigned panel of patients and coordinate care with mid‑level providers as needed
• Provide clinical oversight and review the care delivered by mid‑level practitioners
• Ensure timely documentation in accordance with departmental policy and complete all administrative work promptly
• Address clinical reminders as medically appropriate and meet professional standards of care at all times
• Work within granted privileges except in emergencies; schedule to be determined by supervisor

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 CME absence)
• Traditional federal pension (five‑year vesting), federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA, and comprehensive federal insurance packages (health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care)
• Full‑time licensing requirement; full‑time board certification with possible $1,000 annual CME reimbursement
• Free liability protection with tail coverage from VA’s insurance program
• No employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting
• Recruitment/relocation incentive (sign‑on bonus) for highly‑qualified applicants
• Access to the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – former participants ineligible

Work Schedule

Schedule to be determined by supervisor.