Physician - Primary Care

Physician Position

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Duties of the Physician include, but are not limited to:

• Primary care physicians will be responsible for the delivery of primary care to patients enrolled in their panels at the Iowa City VA Healthcare System. The provider will manage scheduled and unscheduled patients in the outpatient clinic setting.
• Primary care providers in the outpatient setting are typically assigned a panel of patients to manage. Panel size is determined by utilizing VHA PCMM software. Panel size is determined at the National level, through a complex formula which extracts local information regarding acuity of assigned patients, available support staff, number of exam rooms, etc. Each provider's panel size is specific to their practice and setting.
• Alternative or collateral duties may include management of a subsection of primary care patients. The subsection may be defined either by a disease status (e.g. spinal cord injury patients), or demographic status (women veterans etc.). Typically, these duties are designated at the time of joining but occasionally during the course of employment, participation in special projects pertinent to the assigned section may be necessary.
• Physicians may be assigned duty as a supervising or collaborating physician for a mid-level provider. Physicians are expected to provide clinical oversight and review. Supervising or collaborating responsibilities and performance will be noted in the physician's performance evaluation.
• Physicians are expected to act as "surrogates" for the patients of their colleagues, when one or more of their colleagues are on leave.
• All physicians need to follow departmental and VHA policies for leave and attendance and will work within Title 38 appointment guidelines. Currently VHA guidelines do not permit comp time or overtime pay for physicians. However, physicians who are asked to work outside their normal assigned tour of duty may request administrative leave for rest and relaxation. Leave should be requested in advance as much as possible, and in adherence to current VHA directives, so as to minimize patient cancellations. All unscheduled absences must be properly communicated.
• Timely documentation is necessary in all areas in accordance with departmental policy. All administrative work should be completed in a timely fashion.
• Quality of care will meet professional standards at all times.
• All physicians will work within their privileges at all times, unless otherwise necessitated by an emergency.

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

Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, 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 complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more

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

Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of annual paid time offer 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

Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided

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

Work Schedule: Typical work hours are Monday to Friday 8-4.30 PM. Alternative work hours, if desired, should be agreed upon at the time of hire.