Physician-Primary Care-Section Chief/Clinical Director (PACT)

Veterans Health Administration • Sierra Vista, AZ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System (SAVAHCS) is a network of healthcare facilities serving Veterans in Southern Arizona and Western New Mexico, with a medical center in Tucson and seven Community Based Outpatient Clinics. The Tucson medical center is a 295-bed hospital providing training, primary care, and subspecialty care. The position combines clinical leadership and direct patient care within Primary Care Service.

The Medical Director oversees medical and provider personnel and clinic operations, including quality of care and risk management, and leads implementation of Primary Care Service goals for medical and clinical operations. Working with the Chief and Assistant Chiefs of Primary Care, Clinic Office Manager, and Clinical Nurse Manager in a TRIAD model, the Medical Director helps develop clinic services, operations, and objectives and contributes to organizational planning and evaluation. The role reports quality-improvement progress to Primary Care Leadership and provides direct medical care to Veterans.

The position is eligible for a compressed or flexible schedule and is not eligible for telework. The schedule is four 10-hour shifts between Monday and Friday, 6:30 AM and 5:00 PM. The announcement is open continuously until January 8, 2027; the first referral cutoff is October 30, 2026, with subsequent referrals at regular intervals or as vacancies arise.

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 qualifying residency training in an accredited core specialty program, or an alternative training and independent-practice pathway specified in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and meet applicable background and security requirements.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position must undergo pre-employment urinalysis.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Selected applicants must complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification.

Nice To Haves

• Board eligible or board certified in Internal Medicine or Family Practice.

Responsibilities

• Oversee patient-care operations in accordance with VHA, VACO, VISN, SAVAHCS, Medical Bylaws, Primary Care SOPs, and applicable federal and state requirements.
• Develop, review, and implement clinic policies and procedures, subject to final approval by the Chief of PCCCS.
• Train clinic and ancillary staff on new policies and procedures.
• Review and investigate Veteran complaints, delegate follow-up, and prepare a coordinated response with the Clinic Office Manager and Clinical Nurse Manager.
• Ensure communication and collaboration with Ancillary Services and their leadership.
• Collaborate with healthcare team members and support VA patient-satisfaction initiatives.
• Provide direct patient care, including ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, consulting specialty services, and using electronic medical records.
• Provide care consistent with professional standards, core values, and service excellence.
• Lead and organize implementation of Primary Care Service goals and objectives for medical and clinical operations.
• Contribute strategic input to organizational planning and evaluation.
• Report quality-improvement progress to Primary Care Leadership.

Benefits

• Approved Education Debt Reduction Program, with awards up to $200,000 for eligible applicants, subject to program review and requirements.
• 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.
• Federal pension and federal 401(k), with VA contributions up to 5%.
• 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 board-certified physicians.
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be available if approved.

What This Job Offers

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