Physician - Primary Care

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Goose Creek (SC); On-site; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off: 50-55 days per year

Competitive salary

Comprehensive health insurance

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Goose Creek, South Carolina, is seeking a qualified Physician to manage a panel of primary care patients. This role includes evaluating patient conditions, providing medical care, and performing necessary medical documentation.

This position offers a competitive salary, benefits including up to 55 days of paid time off, a recruitment incentive for qualified candidates, and opportunities for student loan repayment under the Education Debt Reduction Program.

Qualifications

• United States citizenship required.
• Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a U.S. state.
• Experience in VA primary care preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform and document history and physical examinations.
• Manage a primary-care panel of patients.
• Order diagnostic tests and prescribe medications.

Skills

Proficient in spoken and written English

Primary care experience

Medical diagnosis and treatment

Education

Doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO)

Residency training in accredited core specialty program

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your 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 application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Recruitment

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 (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physicians in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

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).
• Doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) from a school approved by VA for the year of completion.
• Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or District of Columbia.
• Residency training completed in an accredited core specialty program approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or one year of post‑medical‑school training (first year of residency) followed by two years of independent practice, or non‑U.S. residency training followed by at least three years of verified independent practice in the United States in a field related to the position.
• Residents enrolled in ACGME or AOA accredited residency training programs who otherwise meet the basic requirements may be appointed as Physician Resident Providers on an intermittent basis under supervision.
• Physician Resident Providers are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; they have a scope of practice that allows certain restricted duties under supervision.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred experience: VA primary‑care experience preferred, recent primary‑care experience preferred, board certification preferred. Reference: https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical requirements: primary activities include walking, sitting, talking, driving, and telephone use. Light lifting and carrying under 15 pounds. Hearing aid permitted.

Benefits

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
• VHA Physician Total Rewards.
• Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment).
• EDRP authorized: former EDRP participants are ineligible for incentive.
• Contact [e-mail] for EDRP coordinator assistance.
• Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• Paid Time Off: 50‑55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and 5 days CME absence).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % contributions by VA.
• Insurance: VA health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care (many federal programs portable into retirement).
• License: One full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory.
• CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (requires full‑time board certification).
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided.
• Contract: No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Responsibilities

• Perform and record history and physical examinations and record data from clinic visits.
• Evaluate, consult, develop diagnosis, and manage the primary‑care panel of patients assigned.
• Enter progress notes in the computerized medical record and complete workload documentation in a timely manner.
• Provide medical care for acute and chronic medical conditions and all appropriate preventive care for both male and female veterans.
• Order diagnostic tests, medications, and laboratory tests as medically relevant for each patient.
• Provide timely follow‑up on results and patient inquiries, including completion of view alerts, secure messages, and other patient communications.
• Determine medical assessment and develop treatment plans according to accepted protocols.
• Prescribe medications according to approved formulary and in accordance with federal and state law.
• Educate patients concerning medical conditions and recommended treatments, including nutritional counseling, smoking cessation, periodic immunizations, health screening tests, acute and chronic disease management, and other preventive health measures.
• Consult other specialties as appropriate according to service agreements.
• Provide care of female patients as required on an ad‑hoc basis and possibly as a Women’s Health Designated Provider.

Schedule

Work schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (subject to change based on agency needs).