Primary Care Physician

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student‑loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit their 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.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet the basic requirements and any additional qualifications 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. Current VA physicians who were appointed under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

• 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 equivalent degree in medicine or osteopathic medicine from a VA‑approved school.
• Full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, Commonwealth, or D.C.
• Completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program leading to board certification.
• Physician Resident Providers (PRPs) may be appointed if enrolled in an ACGME/AOA accredited residency and fully licensed. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; they perform supervised duties.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Reference: VA Qualification Standards.
• Physical requirements:
  
  pre‑employment physical, lifting 15‑44 pounds, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking and standing 3‑5 hours, kneeling, rapid mental and muscular coordination, near vision 13–16″ to Jaeger 1–4, far vision 20/20 to 20/40, depth perception, color discrimination, hearing aid permissible.

• Provide outpatient primary care to the Veteran population at the West Plains Community Based Outpatient Clinic.
• Work a predictable weekday schedule with no call, no weekends, and no holidays.
• Serve in a primary‑care setting with other physicians, physician extenders, nurses, and support staff under the VA Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model.
• Practice with a panel of adult and geriatric veterans having diverse diagnoses.
• Maintain Basic Life Support competency.
• Participate in activities required by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations as they apply to the position.
• Work schedule:
  
  0800‑1630, Monday‑Friday.
• Eligibility for recruitment, relocation incentives, and comprehensive federal benefits and retirement.
• Potential eligibility for the Physician/Provider Contract Buy‑Out Program (CBOP) for service in a rural or highly rural facility.

Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions or assistance.

Contact the VHA Contract Buy‑Out Program Manager at vacontractbuyoutprog for additional information and eligibility requirements.