Chief Physician - Medicine Service

Veterans Health Administration • Columbia, SC

11d

About The Position

The Chief of Medicine serves within the Columbia VA Health Care System and manages and plans the delivery of Medicine Service programs. The role contributes to strategic planning by developing an annual Medicine Service Strategic Plan, identifying system development priorities, and working with the Executive Team, appropriate service-level chiefs, Associate Chiefs of Staff, and program coordinators to address organizational priorities.

The incumbent directly supervises approximately 63 full-time equivalent employees across clinical and administrative roles and provides direction for single and complex programs in care delivery. The position calls for strong interpersonal and leadership skills, an interdisciplinary approach to patient care, the ability to coordinate a broad continuum of programs, and effective participation in a senior management team. The Chief also provides clinical interface with academic affiliates and other stakeholders and performs sufficient direct patient care to maintain clinical competency.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., subject to change based on facility needs. The position includes a comprehensive federal physician benefits package, which may include an Education Debt Reduction Program award for eligible applicants. No physician employment contract is required, and there is no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved or accredited institution.
• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Completion of qualifying residency training in an accredited core specialty program leading to board-certification eligibility, or the specified alternative training and independent-practice pathways.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Current board certification in Internal Medicine from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) or American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine (AOBIM).
• At least two years of leadership experience overseeing clinical operations in Internal Medicine or an Internal Medicine subspecialty.
• Demonstrated experience leading quality-improvement initiatives in a complex healthcare system, including developing, implementing, and evaluating performance metrics, clinical outcomes, and patient-safety programs.
• Meet applicable employment conditions, including a background/security investigation, pre-employment physical evaluation, and seasonal influenza vaccination; applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-employment drug testing.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of leadership experience in Internal Medicine, an Internal Medicine subspecialty, Dermatology, or Neurology.

Responsibilities

• Manage and plan how Medicine Service programs and services are delivered.
• Develop an annual Medicine Service Strategic Plan.
• Identify Medicine system development priorities and work with the Executive Team, appropriate service-level chiefs, Associate Chiefs of Staff, and program coordinators on organizational priorities.
• Directly supervise approximately 63 FTEEs in clinical and administrative roles.
• Provide leadership and direction for single and complex programs in care delivery.
• Coordinate a broad continuum of programs and contribute to the senior management team.
• Provide clinical interface with academic affiliates and other key stakeholders.
• Perform sufficient direct patient care to maintain clinical competency.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and possible five-day paid absence for CME.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 annual CME reimbursement for full-time, board-certified physicians.
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• Potential Education Debt Reduction Program reimbursement of up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and program approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree