Physician (Section Chief of Primary Care)

<p>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 (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment/ Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized for highly Qualified Applicants. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday The Section Chief, (SC), serves as a practicing physician who is responsible for the overall management of patients enrolled for healthcare services provided by the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System. The Section Chief is responsible for administrative tasks associated with clinic operations. The primary purpose of the Section Chief position is to represent a single accountable authority for the clinic. The incumbent is responsible for managing and directing a variety of technical and administrative support services critical to clinic operation. In this capacity, the incumbent has full delegated authority and responsibility for the coordination and oversight of clinical and administrative activities in the outpatient clinic. Duties Include but not limited to: Primary focus of this position is administrative, The Section Chief will spend approximately 50% of their time in clinical, patient care activity. This activity can be direct or involve supervision of residents. You will also be required to: Serve as a role model to peers. Be knowledgeable of collective bargaining agreements Initiate, authorize, and complete disciplinary action pursuant to system rules, policies, procedures, and provision of applicable collective bargaining agreements, at all levels across service lines. Manage human capital by ensuring the most efficient staffing models are utilized, to enhance clinic access and maximize efficiency. Prepare for Joint Commission and regulatory surveys. Strategically plan for future clinic staffing needs for all disciplines represented within the clinic. Provide education to the patient and family as necessary. Coordinate strategic planning efforts for health care delivery with effective business planning to assure maximum health care quality and efficiency. Provide reports to the ACOS, Primary care Services, advice and counseling in all aspects of defining and accomplishing the creation of an integrated health care delivery system at the CBOC. Establish multiple ongoing mechanisms for open communication throughout all levels of VA Loma Linda Healthcare System. Monitor compliance with standards of practice; Encourage clinical innovation; Facilitate recruitment and retention of highly quality clinical staff and ensures representation of the clinics interests and concerns in VA Loma Linda Healthcare System clinical committees. Evaluate and treat acute and chronic health problems for scheduled and unscheduled patients in the clinic setting. Perform histories and physical exams. Provide appropriate documentation to minimally include history, physical exam findings, diagnosis, definitive care plan and disposition of the patient. Ensure that patients are appropriately closed-out including disposition that clearly indicates the next steps of care. Ensure that each patient is provided a list of current medications and an appointment list at close-out. Perform office procedures contained within their approved privileges. Prescribe medications as appropriate. Order routine laboratory, radiological and diagnostic tests and provide initial interpretation of results. Communicate test results to patients. Initiate and expedite requests for consultations and special tests. Screen patients to determine the need for hospitalization. Function as a preceptor for residents in the clinic setting as assigned by VA Loma Linda Healthcare System.</p><h3>Requirements</h3>U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.<h3>Education</h3>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: Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted. Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for the year in which the degree was granted. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, confirmation must be made that the medical school meets (or met) Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) eligibility requirement for year graduated. 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.