Staff Physician (Primary Care) - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive/EDRP Authorized

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Brownsville (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment Incentive

Education Debt Reduction Program

Paid Time Off(50-55 days)

Federal health/vision/dental benefits

CME reimbursement

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Brownsville, Texas, is seeking a Staff Physician (Primary Care) responsible for providing patient care and participating in clinical research. The position offers a competitive salary, recruitment incentives, and eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program.

Ideal candidates will have a degree in medicine, a current medical license, and preferred experience in VA or DOD environments. The role emphasizes patient interaction and participation in a multi-disciplinary team, making it a rewarding opportunity to serve Veterans.

Qualifications

• Must have a degree of doctor of medicine or equivalent recognized by the VA.
• Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine.
• Minimum two years of VA or DOD experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive patient care in a multidisciplinary team.
• Participate in medical research within the Primary Care Service.
• Demonstrate excellence in customer service with Veterans.

Skills

Patient care

Communication skills

Clinical research

Women's health care

Coordinating care

Education

Degree in medicine

Residency training

Full and unrestricted medical license

Job description

Summary

The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System is currently recruiting to fill a Staff Physician (Primary Care) position responsible for patient care, patient/family education, and participation in any indicated clinical research in Primary Care Service. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified individuals. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

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 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
• 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 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (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
• rather - 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 VA or DOD experience Board certified or eligible by national recognized certifying body - American Board of Internal Medicine - or American Board of Family Medicine Previous experience providing effective medical treatment - consultation - and coordinating care in the outpatient or ambulatory primary care setting Previous experience in women's health care duties to include - assessment and treatment of female patients - including pelvic examinations - pap smears and other related gender-specific healthcare of women - reviews diagnostic studies and reports abnormal findings
• Experience ordering appropriate tests including lab and imaging studies and incorporate results for a comprehensive treatment plan to include coordinating care between various specialties and disciplines
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Light lifting - under 15 pounds - Reaching above shoulder - Use of fingers - Both hands required - Walking (6 hours) - Standing (6 hours) - Repeated bending (2 hours) - Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - Both eyes required - Depth perception - Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors - Hearing (aid permitted)
• Mental/ Emotional Stability - Ability to preform privileges - Independently performs physical exam as appropriate to position - Cognitive stability

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 10 2026
• The initial cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications will be June 23 2026
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as‑needed basis until positions are filled
• The Primary Care Staff Physician functions as the physician leader within a multidisciplinary PACT team or as a float or gap provider assigned to provide comprehensive - collaborative acute and continuity care to an assigned panel of Veterans as well as to patients outside of the assigned panel when Veteran care indicates a need for such
• Medical care is delivered in accordance with current clinical proactive guidelines with attention to prevention via utilization of evidence‑based clinical decision‑making tools
• In addition to the provision of high‑quality medical care – PACT Physicians demonstrate excellence in customer service via compassionate and informed interpersonal relationships with Veterans – family members and staff
• The PACT Physicians report directly to the assigned Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and ultimately to the Associate Chief of Staff for Primary Care (ACOS/PC)
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Work Schedule: 08:00am - 4:30pm - Monday to Friday
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Authorized for Highly Qualified Candidate
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants 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 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