Physician (Home Based Primary Care Medical Director)

Veterans Health Administration • Memphis, TN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr., VAMC in Memphis, Tennessee, is hiring a full-time physician to serve as Medical Director for its Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Program within Geriatrics and Extended Care. The position is accountable to the Chief of Geriatrics and Extended Care for effective delivery of state-of-the-art care and compliance with applicable standards. The Medical Director is responsible for the overall medical care delivered by the HBPC Team, collaborates with the HBPC Program Director, provides medical leadership, and advocates for the program with VHA leadership and the medical community. The physician also provides backup coverage for HBPC providers and the inpatient Geriatrics Evaluation and Management unit physician.

The role includes clinical supervision of program physicians and mid-level providers; oversight and management of HBPC patients; quality and performance improvement; monitoring the appropriateness of care; and participation in team meetings and resolution of patient-care concerns. The physician may visit patients at home when appropriate, coordinate provider coverage, support medical administration and documentation, and collaborate with community home health and hospice agencies. The position also develops educational programs for medical staff and coordinates the educational and clinical experience of medical students, residents, and fellows assigned to the program.

The position is located at the Memphis VA Medical Center. The stated work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The announcement describes a comprehensive federal total rewards package, including paid leave and holidays, retirement plans, insurance options, and possible education debt reduction and recruitment or relocation incentives for eligible applicants.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately accredited or VA-approved 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 qualifying residency training in an accredited core specialty program leading to board-certification eligibility, or an accepted alternative training and independent-practice pathway described in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Valid driver's license.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Selected applicants must pass a pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation, and are subject to urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Selected applicants may be required to serve a probationary period and complete the online onboarding and application requirements.
• Must meet applicable physician qualification and education requirements stated in the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• Outpatient or in-home management of frailty, goals of care, and complex chronic medical conditions.
• Geriatric care or elder care experience.
• Experience with interdisciplinary teams or work groups.
• Outpatient experience and geriatrics qualifications are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall medical care and medical leadership for the HBPC Program, in collaboration with the HBPC Program Director.
• Advocate for the HBPC Program with VHA leadership and the medical community.
• Provide backup coverage for other HBPC Team providers and the inpatient Geriatrics Evaluation and Management unit physician.
• Oversee and clinically supervise program staff physicians and mid-level providers.
• Manage and clinically supervise patients in the HBPC Program.
• Maintain and improve medical systems for quality care, including performance improvement activities.
• Monitor the appropriateness of care provided to HBPC patients.
• Collaborate with the HBPC Team on patient medical complaints, investigate unusual occurrences, and prepare responses for the Director's signature via the Chief of Staff.
• Visit HBPC patients at home when appropriate to provide care or resolve issues.
• Formulate educational programs for medical staff involved in the HBPC Program.
• Coordinate educational and clinical experiences for medical students, residents, and fellows assigned to the program.
• Participate in HBPC team meetings to address clinical and administrative issues, patient-care problems, interdisciplinary team needs, solutions, and policy development.
• Keep the HBPC team informed about advances in medical care and practice standards.
• Arrange HBPC primary care provider coverage and communicate coverage plans to the team.
• Provide medical administrative support, including reviewing, approving, and signing forms requiring physician signature for HBPC patients.
• Collaborate with the Program Director to select HBPC team members.
• Remain available to team members for collaboration when medical or other problems arise.
• Collaborate with community home health and hospice agencies as needed for HBPC patients.
• Perform other duties assigned by the supervising physician or designee within the scope of practice.

Benefits

• Possible recruitment or relocation incentive for highly qualified applicants.
• Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility, with awards up to $200,000 over one to five years subject to program review and eligibility.
• 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 potentially five days of paid CME absence.
• Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k), with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible CME reimbursement of $1,000 per year for eligible full-time, board-certified physicians.
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.

What This Job Offers

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