Physician

Veterans Health Administration • Clarksville, TN

12d

About The Position

The Primary Care Physician is responsible for the overall management of patients receiving healthcare services through the Tennessee Valley Health Care System (TVHS). The physician performs clinical and administrative work associated with clinic operations and provides leadership and direction to support staff assigned to their Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). The position treats patients aged 18 and older and may include float coverage.

The physician implements the Veterans Health Administration Primary Care Medical Home (PCMH) model, coordinates care for an assigned outpatient panel, and evaluates and treats acute and chronic health conditions in scheduled and unscheduled clinic visits. Duties include conducting histories and physical examinations, documenting diagnoses and care plans, performing approved office procedures, prescribing medications, ordering and initially interpreting tests, communicating results, arranging consultations, and providing patient and family education. The physician also orders preventive services and immunizations, assesses the need for hospitalization, and performs Basic Life Support as needed.

The physician communicates clinical findings through the Computerized Patient Record System, supports care coordination using electronic tracking and VHA data resources, and uses virtual care options such as home telemedicine, VA Video Connect, telephone visits, secure messaging, and e-consults. The position may serve as managing physician for assigned nurse practitioners or physician assistants and as a clinic preceptor for residents. The physician is expected to treat Veterans, visitors, representatives, and staff courteously; protect sensitive information; and comply with Medical Center bylaws and applicable privacy, security, and clinical policies.

The stated work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The work is largely office-based and sedentary, and clinical charting is electronic.

The VA describes a total rewards package that includes competitive salary, annual performance bonuses, regular salary increases, paid leave, retirement benefits, insurance options, possible CME reimbursement, and liability protection with tail coverage. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program requirements and approval. No Physician Employment Contract or significant restriction on moonlighting is specified.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or 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 an alternative training and independent-practice pathway specified in the announcement.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed 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.
• Complete the online onboarding process and required application documentation.
• For males born after December 31, 1959, Selective Service registration is required.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis screening for illegal drug use before appointment; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.
• Must be capable of using a computer for electronic clinical charting.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of experience in primary care.

Responsibilities

• Manage patients enrolled for healthcare services provided by the Tennessee Valley Health Care System.
• Perform administrative tasks associated with clinic operations and provide leadership and direction to assigned PACT support staff.
• Implement the VHA Primary Care Medical Home healthcare system design.
• Coordinate care for an assigned panel of outpatients.
• Evaluate and treat acute and chronic health problems for scheduled and unscheduled clinic patients.
• Perform histories and physical examinations and document findings, diagnoses, care plans, and patient dispositions.
• Ensure encounters are appropriately closed and patients receive current medication and appointment lists.
• Perform office procedures within approved privileges and prescribe medications as appropriate.
• Order routine laboratory, radiological, and diagnostic tests; provide initial interpretation and communicate test results to patients.
• Respond to patient questions and inquiries, including through secure messaging.
• Initiate or expedite consultations and special tests.
• Provide education to patients and families as necessary.
• Order immunizations and other preventive or screening services as necessary.
• Screen patients to determine whether hospitalization is needed and perform Basic Life Support as necessary.
• Communicate clinical findings to other providers using the Computerized Patient Record System.
• Serve as managing physician for assigned nurse practitioners and/or physician assistants.
• Serve as a preceptor for residents in the clinic setting when assigned.
• Treat patients aged 18 years or older.
• Communicate with and treat Veterans, representatives, visitors, and VA staff courteously, tactfully, and respectfully; handle conflicts and problems constructively.
• Protect sensitive printed and electronic data from unauthorized access, release, loss, alteration, or deletion and follow applicable access and security requirements.
• Use VHA Almanac, Compass, EQM, and High-Risk Registries data to identify and more closely manage high-risk patients and patients with recurring outcomes outside the norm.
• Electronically track components of care to support care coordination.
• Use virtual care modalities, including Home Telemedicine, VA Video Connect, telephone visits, secure messaging, and e-consults, to enhance access to care.
• Comply with Medical Center Bylaws and the Rules and Regulations of the Medical Staff.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan reimbursement, with awards up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of one to five years, subject to application, eligibility, and program approval.
• 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) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• 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.
• 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