Physician (Primary Care)

Veterans Health Administration • Mountain Home, ID

5d

About The Position

The Physician provides full-time direct patient care as part of an expanded healthcare team overseeing and coordinating medical care for a population of Veterans in a group practice setting using the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model. The PACT team includes the provider, an RN, an LPN or MA, and a scheduler, and cares for a panel of approximately 900 patients. Mountain Home CBOC is a small clinic with about two PACT teams. The practice emphasizes evidence-based medicine, primary and secondary prevention, use of a computerized medical record system, and continuous quality improvement based on individualized provider data.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to VHA eligibility requirements and application review. Applications must be submitted within four months of appointment. The VHA program office determines approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years); former EDRP participants are ineligible. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. VA offers competitive salary, annual performance bonuses, regular salary increases, paid time off, federal retirement and 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 an equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved or 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 residency training meeting VA requirements: an accredited ACGME/AOA core specialty residency leading to board-certification eligibility; or one year of approved post-medical-school training followed by two years of independent practice under a full unrestricted U.S. license; or qualifying non-U.S. residency training followed by at least three years of verified independent U.S. practice in related duties, subject to local Medical Staff Executive Committee determination.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Complete required background/security investigation and onboarding requirements.
• Submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment to be considered for the program; eligibility is subject to VHA policy and program review.
• Comply with the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program requirement for Health Care Personnel.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusing the test results in denial of employment.
• Complete all application requirements specified in the announcement's Required Documents section.

Nice To Haves

• Board certification is relevant to possible CME reimbursement, which is available only if the physician is full-time and board certified.
• Highly qualified candidates may be considered for recruitment or relocation incentives.

Responsibilities

• Perform initial histories and physical examinations on outpatients.
• Provide ongoing outpatient and inpatient care for assigned patients.
• Screen outpatients to determine whether further care is needed.
• Prescribe medications within the defined scope of practice.
• Order diagnostic studies, including laboratory tests, X-rays, and electrocardiograms (EKGs).
• Review the need for and order health promotion and disease prevention activities.
• Initiate, respond to, and expedite requests for consultations, special tests, and studies.
• Educate and counsel patients and families about preventive care, medical conditions, and prescribed treatments and drugs.
• Provide age-specific care for adult and geriatric patients, assessing and interpreting patient data and identifying age-specific needs.
• Work as part of the PACT team to oversee and coordinate care for a population of Veterans.
• Request assistance from other medical staff, including Emergency Room or inpatient-service staff at the nearest VA medical center, when needed.
• Attend staff, team, and some committee meetings, and complete peer review evaluations.
• Keep the supervisor informed of progress and potentially controversial matters.
• Meet customer needs and communicate courteously, tactfully, and respectfully with Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and VA staff; provide consistent information and handle conflict constructively.
• Protect sensitive printed and electronic data in accordance with applicable privacy laws, regulations, and VA/VHA policies, including safeguards against unauthorized access, release, loss, alteration, or deletion.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program reimbursement of up to $200,000 for eligible applicants, subject to approval and program terms.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• 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 CME absence.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) contributions of up to 5% by VA.
• 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 full-time physicians with board certification.
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
• No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

What This Job Offers

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