Primary Care Physician

Summary

The Washington DC VA Medical Center, situated in the heart of Washington DC, provides primary care and specialty health services, including bariatric surgery, mental health care, palliative and hospice care, suicide prevention, women’s health care, and more.

Qualifications

Applicants must satisfy the basic requirements listed below and any additional criteria specified in the job announcement. Candidates who are pending completion of training or license requirements may be considered for an initial appointment but cannot be hired until all requirements are met. Current VA physicians who were appointed under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements.

Basic Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (non‑citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy).
• Medical doctor (M.D.) or osteopathic physician (D.O.) degree from a school approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year of completion.
• Full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program leading to board certification eligibility. Acceptable residencies include ACGME or AOA accredited programs, or one‑year post‑medical‑school training followed by two years of independent practice, or non‑U.S. residency programs followed by at least three years of verified independent practice in the United States.
• Board certification is required for faculty status; residents in accredited programs may be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs) on an intermittent basis under limited scope of practice.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Preferred Experience

• Current experience as a primary care physician with competence in caring for women’s health, including reproductive and menopausal health, cervical cancer screening, and minor gynecologic conditions.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds intermittently, moderate carrying of 15‑35 pounds, and lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy.
• Capability to pull, push, reach above the shoulders, walk, stand, kneel, bend repeatedly, and climb using both legs and arms intermittently.
• Near vision of 13‑16‑Jones, far vision fixable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other, color vision sufficient to distinguish basic colors, and hearing that can be accommodated with hearing aids.
• Physically and mentally able to perform the essential functions of the role with or without reasonable accommodation.

Duties

• Provide primary care services for VA beneficiaries at Washington DC VA Medical Center and associated Community‑Based Out Patient Clinics (CBOCs).
• Perform patient assessments for acute illnesses and determine admission or outpatient management.
• Manage chronic disease and provide clinical guidance via video, telephone, secure messaging, and mail.
• Document medical assessments and orders accurately in the electronic medical record.
• Supervise and teach medical residents, students, and mid‑level practitioners as applicable.
• Maintain hospital infection prevention policies and ensure a safe work environment.
• Foster inter‑personal and intra‑departmental relationships to enhance patient care.
• Communicate effectively in oral and written form and provide patient/family education.
• Utilize CPRS computer software to enter and sign medical orders.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with annual performance bonus and regular salary increases.
• Paid time off: 50‑55 days per year, including annual leave, sick leave, federal holidays, and CME days.
• Traditional federal pension with 5‑year vesting, 401(k) plan with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Comprehensive federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care insurance (many programs continue into retirement).
• Malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
• No employment contract restrictions on moonlighting or significant employment limitations.
• Work schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.