Physician, Primary Care with EDRP & Recruitment/Relocation Incentive

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Temple (TX); On-site; USD 190,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual performance bonus

Paid Time Off: 50-55 days per year

Federal health/vision/dental insurance

Malpractice liability protection

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a qualified physician for an outpatient primary care role in Temple, Texas. Candidates must have a Doctor of Medicine degree and a valid medical license. Responsibilities include managing a panel of patients within a team-focused environment that prioritizes patient involvement in their care.

A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package are offered, including a potential sign-on bonus and education loan repayment options.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship required.
• Must hold a current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine.
• Complete residency training in an approved core specialty.

Responsibilities

• Deliver outpatient primary care to enrolled patients.
• Manage a panel of patients in a team-based approach.
• Engage with patients in their health care decisions.

Skills

Proficiency in spoken and written English

Certified in Internal Medicine or Family Practice

Knowledge of regulations and accreditation preparation

Teaching experience

Education

Degree of Doctor of Medicine or equivalent

Tools

None specified

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – 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 and award amounts (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.

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 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 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.
• 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 one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed.
• License: 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.
• Residency options: (1) Residency approved by ACGME or AOA in the list published for the year the residency (or fellowship if applicable) was completed. (2) One year of post‑medical‑school training (internship or first year of residency or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post‑training independent practice under a full and unrestricted license in the United States. (3) Non‑US residency training followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) related to the position, with U.S. fellowships creditable towards this requirement, recognized by the local Medical Staff Executive Committee.
• Exceptions: Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs eligible to be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather they have a scope of practice that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision.
• 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.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred Experience: Certified in Internal Medicine or Family Practice. Knowledge of regulations and preparation for accreditation surveys (e.g., Joint Commission, OIG, etc.). Teaching experience.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
• Physical Requirements: May require long periods of moderate lifting 15‑44 pounds, pushing for 1‑8 hours, walking for 2 hours, standing for 1‑8 hours, repeated bending for 1‑2 hours. Both legs, rapid mental and muscular coordination, both eyes, color discrimination, hearing (aid may be permitted).

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until October 7 – 2026 or until positions are filled.
• Eligible applications received will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur.
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
• VHA Physician Total Rewards.
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Authorized for highly qualified applicants.
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more.
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentive.
• Contact [e-mail] – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
• Pay: 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 days paid absence for CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K 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 U.S. 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.
• Primary care physicians will deliver outpatient primary care to patients enrolled in CTVHCS.
• The physician and Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) will manage a panel of patients.
• The panel size is determined by VHA guidelines considering patient complexity, support staff, treatment rooms, etc.
• Each physician’s panel size is specific to their practice and setting.
• The PACT model is a patient‑driven, team‑based approach that delivers efficient, comprehensive, and continuous care through active communication and coordination of health‑care services via an interdisciplinary team including the PCP, RN care manager, LVN, clerical associate and other required clinical services.
• While the primary‑care physician’s relationship with the veteran patient will remain key, that bond is augmented by involving other health‑care staff as part of an integrated team.
• As a member of the team, the veteran patient is an active participant in decisions and receives encouragement to exercise ownership of their health.
• The veteran patient, with support from other members, becomes engaged in their health care, ensuring the system best serves their individual needs.
• Alternative or collateral duties may include management of a subsection of primary care patients defined by disease status or demographic status (e.g., women veterans, OIF/OEF veterans, employees, etc.).
• Typically, these duties are designated at the time of joining but may change during employment when special projects become available through strategic or other initiatives.
• Physicians may be assigned duty as a supervising or collaborating physician for one or more mid‑level providers.
• Physicians are expected to provide clinical oversight and review the care provided by mid‑level practitioners.
• Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.