Chief Physician - Medicine Service

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 200,000 - 400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on Bonus

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP

Paid Time Off

Federal benefits (health/vision/dental

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Chief of Medicine within the Columbia VA Health Care System to oversee the delivery of medical services and guide strategic priorities.

The role involves leading a sizeable team, coordinating with executive leadership, and ensuring clinical excellence across departments. The incumbent will be responsible for developing the annual Medicine Service Strategic Plan, managing resources, and maintaining clinical readiness while supporting research

Qualifications

• MD/DO degree or equivalent in allopathic or osteopathic medicine.
• ECFMG eligibility required for non-US trained physicians.
• Ability to lead Medicine Service and develop annual strategic plans.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Medicine Service Strategic Plan.
• Supervise approximately 63 FTEs across clinical and administrative roles.
• Provide leadership for delivery of care and program coordination.
• Coordinate with Executive Team and ACOS to align priorities.
• Maintain clinical competency through direct patient care.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Program management

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Doctor of Medicine

Osteopathic Medicine

ECFMG eligibility

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The incumbent serves as the Chief of Medicine within the Columbia VA Health Care System.

Key Responsibilities

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized EDRP (Education Debt Reduction Program): Position(s) listed under this Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) MAY be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer.

The selectee must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting The primary role of a Chief of Medicine is to manage and plan how services are delivered and contribute to the process of strategic planning, influencing and responding to organizational priorities.

This will involve responsibility for creating an annual Medicine Service Strategic Plan, identifying Medicine system development priorities, and working with the Executive Team/ appropriate Service level chiefs, Associate Chiefs of Staff (ACOS)' and program coordinator. This position will provide direct supervision for approximately 63 FTEEs, with a mix of clinical and administrative employees.

The incumbent is expected to display leadership acumen sufficient to provide direction for single and complex programs in the delivery of care. The incumbent is expected to have strong interpersonal skills and demonstrate a commitment to an interdisciplinary approach to patient care delivery. The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the ability to coordinate a broad continuum of programs and demonstrate abilities to work well within a senior management team.

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate skills in providing clinical interface with academic affiliates and other key stakeholders and display experience. The incumbent expected to perform sufficient direct patient care to maintain clinical competency. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30AM - 4:00PM. (subject to change based on facility needs)

Requirements & Education

Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are: Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted.

Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for the year in which the degree was granted. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, confirmation must be made that the medical school meets (or met) Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) eligibility requirement for year graduated.

NOTE: The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities.

The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $200000 – $400000/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2027-09-30.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Excepted' hiring path.