Physician - Section Chief Emergency Medicine

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Total Rewards package

Health insurance

Malpractice protection

Generous paid time off

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a physician in Fresno, CA to oversee the Emergency Department operations. The position requires a Doctor of Medicine degree and completion of residency training in an accredited program. Responsibilities include managing staffing, collaborating with clinical leaders, and promoting high-quality emergency care. This role offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and extensive paid time off, supporting work-life balance in a respectful environment.

Qualifications

• Must have a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state.
• Residency training completed in an accredited core specialty program.
• Eligible if currently enrolled as a Physician Resident Provider.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day clinical operations of the Emergency Department.
• Manage scheduling and hiring for the EM section.
• Collaborate with nursing leaders to ensure high-quality emergency care.
• Promote EM section mission and serve in medical education.

Skills

Proficiency in spoken and written English

Ability to lift 15-44 pounds

Rapid mental and muscular coordination

Education

Doctor of medicine or equivalent degree

Board certification in a related specialty

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)—a student loan payment reimbursement program. Eligible applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office after review of the application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet the basic requirements and 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 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 or an equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine.
• Degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year the course of study was completed.
• Full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Residency training: Physicians must have completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program leading to eligibility for board certification.
• Approved residencies include those accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) in the list published for the year the residency (or fellowship) was completed.
• Or 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 independent practice under a full and unrestricted license in the United States.
• Or non‑U.S. residency training followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States under a full and unrestricted license, related to the position.
• Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who otherwise meet basic requirements are 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 are to have a scope of practice that allows certain restricted duties under supervision.
• In rare circumstances, the Facility Director may submit a memo to the VISN Director for reasonable exceptions to the residency requirement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Additional requirement: Board certification in a related specialty.
• Physical requirements: Applicants must satisfy physical standards for the position, undergo a physical examination prior to placement, and are subject to random drug testing. The position requires lifting 15‑44 pounds, pushing (approx 2 hours), reaching above shoulder, using both hands, walking and standing from 3‑5 hours, kneeling, rapid mental and muscular coordination, and depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades. Hearing aid is permitted.

Duties

• This is an open continuous announcement and will remain open until September 25 2026. The initial cut‑off date for referral is May 18 2026, with subsequent cut‑offs every two weeks.
• Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and candidates will be considered as vacancies arise.
• VA offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package, including recruitment incentive, competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases, generous paid time off, retirement benefits, health insurance, and malpractice protection.
• Work schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.
• Competitive annual salary with performance bonus and regular salary increases.
• Paid time off: 50‑55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays, and optional 5 days CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (vesting after five years) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % VA contributions.
• Licensure: One full and unrestricted U.S. state or territory license; CME reimbursement of up to $1,000 per year if full‑time and board certified.
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• Contract: No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.
• Oversee day‑to‑day clinical operations of the Emergency Department.
• Manage scheduling and hiring for the EM section to ensure appropriate staffing.
• Collaborate with clinical section service and nursing leaders to ensure high‑quality emergency care.
• Partner with other VACCHS departments to ensure availability, quality and effective use of diagnostic, therapeutic and mental health services.
• Collaborate with local partners in the Fresno County EMS system as the representative of the VACCHS EM section.
• Maintain faculty appointment with UCSF Department of Medicine.
• Promote the EM section and VACCHS mission, serving as a leader in medical education.
• Provide mentorship and professional support to EM staff.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Contact [e-mail] for EDRP queries.