The Chief Primary Care is responsible and accountable for all clinical, administrative, and performance improvement activities in the PACT and multi-specialty outpatient clinics at the Lexington VA Health Care System and its CBOCs. This position reports directly to the Chief of Staff. 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 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 physician(s) 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. 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. Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in medicine or osteopathic medicine. The 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, 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. (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences. Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e., not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee-basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather, they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Preferred Experience: Board Certified Internal Medicine or Family Practice preferred with at least 2 years of experience in managing a clinic. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. ["Duties include, but are not limited to: Assures that each patient presenting for care at the clinic receives quality medical care within the limits and resources of the clinic, obtaining referral to another VA facility if resources are not available. Directs and supervises the clinical activities of the physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. The Chief may also have input on the performance of others such as nurses, administrative support staff, social workers, clinical pharmacy practitioners, and nutritionists. Participates in direct patient care and serves as a role model for peers. Consideration is given to the age of the patient as it relates to the ability to understand directions and provides objective self-assessment or any other medical milieu appropriate to the overall treatment plan. Ensures that staffing, space, equipment, and materials, systems and support services are utilized appropriately to meet the needs of the patients served in the outpatient clinic. Ensures that patients receive care in a safe and therapeutic environment. Ensures that the care of each patient in the outpatient clinic is the responsibility of a qualified and appropriately privileged staff physician. Is responsible for enforcement of applicable medical center and outpatient clinic policies, rules and regulations, and medical staff bylaws. Is responsible for meeting the performance improvement requirements of both the Joint Commission and the Department of Veterans Affairs, encompassing the information in the outpatient clinic, and for directing, educating, and involving all staff in these areas in the performance improvement process. Completes annual proficiency evaluations of physicians, PAs, and APNs, and incorporates provider specific performance improvement data in these appraisals. Participates in the resource allocation process for the outpatient clinics. Has overall responsibility for the safety program and action plan in the outpatient clinic. Participates in the various medical center's committees as appropriate. Administers and enforces all leave policies for the individuals supervised. Utilizes workload statistics and other data to ensure optimum availability of staff to meet patient needs. Anticipates clinic staffing vacancies and needs, interviews and selects candidates. Completes annual performance evaluations of physicians and incorporates specific performance improvement data in these appraisals. Arranges for physician coverage to assume the clinical responsibilities of the Section Chief during his/her absence. Is responsible for the oversight of all educational programs in the clinic and participates in the educational programs for primary care. Uses results of monitoring and evaluation activities in the clinic and clinic improvement activities, in planning the educational programs for the medical staff. Encourages and supports professional growth of staff by approval of authorized absence for conferences and workshops, in accordance with the prescribed guidelines by Human Resources Management Service and ACOS/Education. Other duties as assigned. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be approved for highly qualified candidates. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. Contact VISN9HREDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. 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. 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 AM - 4:30PM Monday - Friday."]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
