Physician-Primary Care

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Augusta (GA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education Debt Reduction Program

Paid Time Off: 50-55 days per year

Malpractice insurance coverage

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking qualified physicians for ongoing vacancies in Augusta, Georgia. This role offers the opportunity to provide comprehensive health assessments and collaborative care within the VA's Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model. The ideal candidate will be licensed and experienced in primary care, emphasizing patient service and meeting ethical standards.

Benefits include competitive salaries, generous leave, and educational debt reduction programs. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Current full and unrestricted medical license.
• Proven experience in a primary care clinic is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive health assessments for Veterans.
• Collaborate with health care professionals to achieve patient care goals.
• Establish diagnoses and initiate emergency responses as needed.

Skills

English proficiency

Medical assessment skills

Collaboration

Patient care

Education

Doctor of Medicine or equivalent

Completed residency training

Job description

Summary

This is an Open Continuous Announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Applications will remain on file until September 30, 2026.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard are deemed to have met the basic requirements.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy


• 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 one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed


• Current – full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State – Territory – or Commonwealth of the United States – or in the District of Columbia


• Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification


• (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education – the ACGME or AOA – in the list published for the year the residency – or fellowship if applicable – was completed


• OR (2) One year of post–medical school training (internship – first year of residency – or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post‑training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States


• OR (3) Non‑US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) – which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the Physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences


• Exceptions: Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs)


• PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e. - not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis


• PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged


• They are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision


• Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs


• In rare and unusual circumstances, the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience, accomplishments, performance, and qualifications warrant such action


• Proficiency in spoken and written English


• Preferred Experience: 2 or more years of experience in a Primary Care Clinic Outpatient setting


• Board Certified/Board Eligible in Internal Medicine or Family Practice


• Collaboration experience with Advance Practice Providers preferred


• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/


• Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position – with or without reasonable accommodation – without hazard to themselves or others


• Depending on the essential duties of a specific position – usable vision, color vision, hearing or speech may be required


• Most cases – a specific physical condition or impairment can be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid

Duties

• Provide comprehensive assessment, diagnostic work‑up, and clinic intervention, including comprehensive patient assessment, health history, physical examination, and patient education to Veterans in the Primary Care team setting


• Works collaboratively with other health care professionals to accomplish patient‑service and medical center goals, promoting and embracing the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model of care and utilizing Integrity – Commitment – Advocacy – Respect – Excellence (ICARE) values throughout the clinic


• Distinguish between normal and abnormal findings to establish a diagnosis and initiate an appropriate response to emergency health problems


• Order and evaluate diagnostic tests as appropriate, recommend treatment and/or referral


• Initiate appropriate referrals and consultations to other clinical services


• Initiate, evaluate, and change orders for medications


• Follow performance measure guidelines, including completion of clinical reminders and access and timeliness standards, prescription order entry, National VA formulary requirements, and customer service standards


• Demonstrate flexibility in responding to clinic demands – adhere to personal and professional obligations and responsibilities


• Practice and maintain ethical standards and sustain a work environment that is harmonious and customer service oriented


• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – eligible for up to $200 000, one to five years (subject to approval)


• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases


• Paid Time Off: 50‑55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, possible 5‑day paid CME absence)


• Retention: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting), federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA


• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)


• Licensure: One full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory


• MCE: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full‑time with board certification)


• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided


• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting


• Work schedule: Monday‑Friday – 08:00‑16:30; subject to change based on agency needs