Physician-Chief of Geriatrics & Extended Care
What you'd do
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 26, 2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications and subsequent cut-off dates are on the 1st of each month. 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.
Major duties
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected] ,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. Chief-Geriatrics and Extended Care Executive Leadership & Program Oversight Serves as the facility's senior executive authority on all geriatrics and extended care clinical and administrative matters Provides strategic vision and day-to-day leadership across the full GEC service line, ensuring alignment with VA Central Office directives, VISN 7 priorities, and local medical center goals Reports to medical center senior leadership and serves as a key member of the executive leadership team, representing GEC interests in facility-wide planning and resource allocation Maintains current knowledge of evolving VA policies, SOCE standards, Joint Commission requirements and national geriatric care best practices Clinical Program Management Provides direct oversight of the Community Living Center (CLC), including skilled nursing, restorative care, and long-term care services, ensuring regulatory compliance and person-centered care delivery Leads the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) program, overseeing interdisciplinary team operations to deliver comprehensive primary care to high-risk Veterans in their homes Collaborates closely with Palliative Care & Hospice leadership to ensure seamless, compassionate end-of-life services across inpatient and community settings Partners with program leads for Adult Day Health Care (ADHC), Home/Homemaker Health Aide (H/HHA), Veteran-Directed Care, Purchased Skilled Home Care (PSHC), In-Home Respite (IHR), and Community Nursing Home (CNH) programs Coordinates care transitions and continuity across all GEC programs to reduce avoidable hospitalizations and improve Veteran outcomes Quality, Safety & Compliance Champions a culture of safety and continuous quality improvement across all GEC programs Oversees performance on key national GEC metrics including fall prevention, pain management, pressure injury prevention, restraint reduction, and MDS/OASIS accuracy. Ensures all programs meet or exceed SOCE, Joint Commission, and VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) standards Leads preparation for and response to regulatory surveys, audits, and accreditation reviews Reviews and acts on adverse events, close calls, and patient safety reports in a timely manner Workforce Leadership Recruits, develops, and retains a high-performing, multidisciplinary GEC workforce including physicians, NPs, nurses, social workers, therapists, and support staff Fosters an inclusive, psychologically safe work environment that supports staff engagement, professional growth, and well-being Conducts or oversees performance evaluations, competency assessments, and progressive disciplinary actions in accordance with VA HR policy Serves as a mentor and resource for GEC clinical staff, trainees, and affiliated academic partners Program Development & Strategic Growth Leads expansion and innovation efforts across GEC services to meet the evolving needs of Augusta's aging Veteran population Identifies gaps in care, evaluates community resources, and develops new programs or partnerships to address unmet needs Collaborates with Community Care, VISN 7 GEC leadership, and VA Central Office on initiatives such as MISSION Act-related community care integration Represents VA Augusta GEC at local, VISN, and national conferences, workgroups, and committees Data Stewardship & Information Security Ensures all GEC staff handle sensitive Veteran health information in full compliance with VA privacy, HIPAA, and information security policies Utilizes VA data systems (CPRS, VSSC, CDW, etc.) to monitor program performance, track outcomes, and support data-driven decision-making Maintains accurate and timely documentation and reporting for all GEC programs Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Work Schedule subject to change based on agency needs.
What you need to qualify
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: Five (5) or more years working in Geriatrics & Extended Care. VHA leadership in a Geriatric and Extended Care setting. Knowledge of Nursing Home Contracts. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: he incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position may involve standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. The work may involve going up and down flights of stairs. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Before you apply
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