Physician - Geriatrics & Extended Care Section Chief

Veterans Health Administration • Fredericksburg County, VA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Fredericksburg Veterans Affairs Health Care Center (FxHCC) Section Chief of Geriatrics & Extended Care (GEC) provides administrative, clinical, and programmatic leadership for the geriatric and extended care programs at FxHCC, supporting clinical, research, and education goals. The position reports directly to the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS) Associate Chief of Staff, GEC, and works closely with GEC and FxHCC leadership to support collaboration and alignment across the health care system.

The role combines clinical care with program leadership, staff supervision, interdisciplinary collaboration, quality improvement, and education. Clinical work may include PACT clinics, outpatient geriatrics consultation and management, Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC), telehealth, e-consults, Hospice & Palliative Care, Non-Institutional Care programs, and transitional care. The position may involve independent home visits when assigned to HBPC, periodic travel to other clinics and the Richmond VAMC, and driving up to two hours each way in a government vehicle for home visits.

The Fredericksburg Veterans Affairs Health Care Center provides outpatient services to Veterans in Northern and Central Virginia, including primary care, rehabilitation, dental, medical and surgical specialty care, diagnostic testing, Women's Health, and mental health services. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. It is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program requirements and approval.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved and 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 residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to board-certification eligibility, or a qualifying alternative training and practice pathway described in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
• If assigned an HBPC panel, a valid driver's license and ability to complete independent home visits, including driving up to two hours one way in a government car.
• Ability to meet the physical and mental/sensory demands described for the position, including patient care, use of IT and video connectivity, electronic medical record documentation, and work in a variable-paced clinical environment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet the applicable VA appointment, background/security, onboarding, and application requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Geriatrics & Extended Care program management and quality improvement.
• Completion of a Geriatrics or Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship.
• Two years of experience in Geriatrics Primary Care or Home-Based Primary Care.
• Physician supervisor experience.
• Board certification may be required for faculty status in applicable VA academic training programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day clinical care across GEC services, including PACT clinics, geriatrics consultations and management, HBPC, telehealth, e-consults, Hospice & Palliative Care, Non-Institutional Care programs, and transitional care.
• Collaborate daily with the interdisciplinary team, referral sources, and stakeholders.
• Participate in program development, quality improvement, and systems redesign projects.
• Provide leadership and collaboration to interdisciplinary teams and administrative staff.
• Complete independent home visits when assigned to HBPC.
• Supervise clinical staff, including a nurse navigator, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant, as well as administrative staff.
• Provide collaborative physician coverage in GEC programs, including non-institutional care and contract community nursing home programs.
• Provide guidance and coaching to physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, interdisciplinary staff, and referral sources.
• Complete medical records and encounters accurately and on time.
• Communicate with patients, family members, treatment teams, community partners, and vendors.
• Participate in educational activities for trainees, including curriculum development, bedside teaching, formal didactics, and just-in-time teaching.
• Travel periodically to other clinics and the Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan repayment, subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• 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 programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 annual CME reimbursement for full-time physicians with board certification.
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

What This Job Offers

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