Physician - Community Living Center Medical Director

Veterans Health Administration • Spokane, WA

3d

About The Position

The Community Living Center (CLC) Medical Director provides administrative and clinical leadership and direct patient care in the CLC, which offers skilled nursing, long-term care, hospice and palliative care, and rehabilitation services. The director delivers care directly or supervises CLC providers and assigned medical trainees in inpatient and outpatient settings. The position also involves care outside the CLC when needed, such as in community nursing homes, Veterans' homes, or outpatient clinics.

The role includes coordinating medical coverage, ensuring appropriate admissions and bed utilization, mentoring clinical staff, managing schedules and resources, reviewing clinical performance and documentation, contributing to educational programs, and representing the department in interdisciplinary work. Participation in the HPT educational program is the default. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Ad hoc telework may be approved; the position is not virtual.

A recruitment incentive may be authorized for highly qualified and eligible applicants, and a relocation incentive may be authorized for eligible, highly qualified current VA employees. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and application requirements. VA's stated total rewards include competitive salary, possible annual performance bonuses and regular salary increases, paid leave and federal holidays, federal retirement benefits, federal insurance programs, possible CME reimbursement, and malpractice liability protection with tail coverage. There is no physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Requirements

• 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 an accepted alternative pathway described in the announcement.
• At least three years of clinical experience after residency in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, or a related field.
• One year of leadership experience in a clinical setting.
• Specialization in Geriatrics, Rehabilitation, or Palliative Medicine.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation and physical examination; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-employment drug screening.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet all application requirements detailed in the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with skilled nursing facilities or program development.
• Prior involvement in education programs with students and residents.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and clinical leadership and direct patient care within the Community Living Center.
• Deliver care directly or supervise CLC-assigned providers and medical trainees in inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Evaluate and manage adults with single or multiple disorders across subspecialties, with a focus on geriatric medicine.
• Provide admission history and physical examinations, daily patient management, discharge summaries and planning, and family conferences.
• Provide care outside the CLC when needed, including in community nursing homes, Veterans' homes, or outpatient clinics.
• Arrange routine and emergency medical coverage across all CLC units.
• Work with the CLC Screening Committee to support safe and appropriate admissions, optimal bed utilization, and transparent processes.
• Mentor physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals to support quality of care.
• Manage clinical schedules to ensure adequate coverage and effective resource use.
• Participate in peer reviews, competency evaluations including OPPE and FPPE, and chart reviews.
• Contribute to training programs for medical students, residents, fellows, and other trainees; participate in the HPT educational program by default.
• Participate in billing and coding audits to optimize documentation and reimbursement.
• Provide medical expertise during committee discussions and decisions.
• Represent the department in interdisciplinary meetings and projects.
• Address concerns and feedback through the Patient Advocate Tracking System (PATS-R).

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, federal holidays, and possible paid CME absence.
• 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 CME reimbursement of $1,000 per year for eligible full-time, board-certified physicians.
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
• Education Debt Reduction Program student-loan reimbursement, subject to program eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• Possible recruitment incentive of 15% of annual salary each year for up to three years, with a three-year contractual agreement, for highly qualified and eligible applicants.
• Possible $15,000 lump-sum relocation incentive for eligible, highly qualified current VA employees.

What This Job Offers

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