Physician (Chief Primary Care)

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, GA

7d

About The Position

The Chief of Primary Care serves in a lead management role within Primary Care Service and reports directly to the Deputy Chief of Staff, Uptown Division. The Chief provides professional and administrative leadership for Primary Care, with responsibility for strategic direction, business planning, program development, organization, and implementation across facility sites of care, including VA-owned, leased, and contracted community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). The position directly or indirectly supervises Physicians, Physician Assistants, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), and Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) staff. The role is 90% administrative and 10% direct clinical practice.

The Chief develops and executes a Primary Care Service Business Plan aligned with facility, VISN 7, and VHA Primary Care Services priorities; manages service resources and fiscal accountability; ensures timely access and appropriate clinical operations; and leads quality, safety, and performance improvement. The role also oversees recruitment, onboarding, retention, supervision, and development of Primary Care providers and PACT staff, and participates in relevant facility, VISN, and national activities.

This is an open continuous announcement. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates are considered as vacancies become available. Applications remain on file until September 30, 2027. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., subject to change based on agency needs.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved and accredited school.
• 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 applicable alternative training and independent-practice pathway described in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Must complete required background/security investigation and online onboarding; applicants selected for testing-designated positions are subject to pre-employment urinalysis.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must be physically and mentally able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

• Progressively responsible leadership experience in an outpatient Primary Care setting.
• Experience directing or overseeing Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT), Women's Health, same-day access, and community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs).
• Demonstrated ability to supervise physicians, physician assistants, and APRNs and manage personnel, space, equipment, and an operating budget.
• Ability to develop and carry out a service-level business plan and drive performance improvement using access, continuity, quality, and Veteran experience metrics.
• Experience with Joint Commission/OIG readiness and provider evaluation processes (FPPE/OPPE).
• Experience with VA/VHA Primary Care policy, including PACT Handbook 1101.10 and Directive 1231.
• Experience supporting academic affiliations and clinical teaching.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a Primary Care Service Business Plan aligned with facility, VISN 7, and VHA Primary Care Services strategic priorities.
• Provide strategic direction for program development, organization, and implementation of Primary Care across facility sites and CBOCs.
• Serve as accountable official for Primary Care Service resources, including personnel, space, equipment, supplies, and operating budget.
• Ensure Primary Care clinics are appropriately resourced and function to provide timely access and clinical efficiency consistent with applicable VHA guidance.
• Ensure Primary Care services, appropriate consultation services, and Veteran same-day access are available to meet the needs of Veterans and their providers.
• Ensure adequate staffing, alert surrogate coverage, and timely patient access across Primary Care sites.
• Direct continuous measurement and improvement of quality of care within Primary Care Service.
• Develop and implement measures to monitor staff performance and clinical outcomes, including Pay-for-Performance metrics, PACT Compass measures, and access, coordination, and continuity indicators.
• Participate in selection of team members and oversee recruitment, onboarding, and retention of Primary Care providers and PACT staff.
• Provide supervision and ensure appropriate actions involving promotions, selections, rewards, recognition, training, discipline, and problem resolution.
• Participate in facility, VISN, and national committees, workgroups, and task forces relevant to Primary Care.
• Support academic affiliations, resident and student rotations, and clinical teaching within Primary Care as applicable.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of Staff.

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 a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 per year CME reimbursement for full-time physicians with board certification.
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• Possible Education Debt Reduction Program reimbursement of up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and program approval.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive (sign-on bonus) may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate.

What This Job Offers

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