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

Veterans Health Administration • Tucson, AZ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System (SAVAHCS) is hiring a Physician to serve as Primary Care Section Chief/Clinical Director (PACT) at the Tucson, Arizona VA Medical Center. The position combines clinical leadership and direct medical care for Veterans within Primary Care Service. The Medical Director oversees medical and provider personnel and clinic operations, supports risk management and quality of care, implements Primary Care Service goals, and contributes to organizational planning and evaluation. The role works closely with the Chief and Assistant Chiefs of Primary Care, the Clinic Office Manager, and the Clinical Nurse Manager in a TRIAD model. The Medical Director reports to Primary Care Leadership on quality-improvement progress.

The position oversees patient-care operations in accordance with VHA, VACO, VISN, SAVAHCS, medical-bylaw, clinic-procedure, and applicable federal and state requirements. It develops, reviews, and implements clinic policies and procedures, subject to final approval by the Chief of PCCCS, and trains clinic and ancillary staff on those procedures. The role also reviews and investigates Veteran complaints, coordinates responses with clinic management, collaborates with Ancillary Services, and supports patient-satisfaction initiatives.

The Physician provides direct care to Veterans, including ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing medications (including contraceptive medication), consulting with specialty services, and using electronic medical records. Care must meet professional standards and reflect the organization’s core values and commitment to service excellence.

The schedule is four 10-hour shifts between Monday and Friday, within the stated 6:30 AM–5:00 PM window. The position is eligible for a compressed or flexible work schedule; telework is not available. This is an open continuous announcement through January 8, 2027, with an initial application cutoff of October 30, 2026, and subsequent referral cutoffs every two weeks.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or an 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 another qualifying training and independent-practice pathway described in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete the online onboarding process.
• If male and born after December 31, 1959, meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Oversee Primary Care Service medical and provider personnel and clinic operations, including supervision, risk management, and quality of care.
• Lead the implementation of Primary Care Service goals and objectives for medical and clinical operations.
• Provide strategic input to organizational planning and evaluation.
• Work with the Clinic Office Manager and Clinical Nurse Manager to develop and implement clinic services, operations, and objectives.
• Report quality-improvement progress regularly to Primary Care Leadership.
• Ensure patient-care operations comply with applicable VHA, VACO, VISN, SAVAHCS, medical-bylaw, clinic-procedure, federal, and state requirements.
• Develop, review, and implement clinic policies and procedures, with final approval from the Chief of PCCCS.
• Train clinic and ancillary staff on new policies and procedures.
• Review and investigate Veteran complaints and coordinate and summarize responses with the Clinic Office Manager and Clinical Nurse Manager.
• Coordinate and collaborate with Ancillary Services and their leadership.
• Support VA patient-satisfaction initiatives and work effectively with other health care team members.
• Provide direct medical care to Veterans, including ordering diagnostic testing, prescribing medications, consulting specialty services, and using electronic medical records.
• Provide care in accordance with professional standards, core values, and service-excellence commitments.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility, with potential student-loan reimbursement of up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and program approval.
• 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 and federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term-life, and long-term-care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 annual CME reimbursement for eligible full-time, board-certified physicians.
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.
• Possible recruitment or relocation incentive, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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