Exceptional Career Opportunity: Primary Care Physician at Eglin AFB

For medical professionals seeking a career that aligns top-tier clinical practice with a profound sense of purpose, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers an unmatched platform. Operating at the intersection of medical innovation and patriotic service, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides comprehensive, compassionate care to the brave men and women who have defended our country.

An exceptional opportunity is currently available for a Primary Care Physician at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) in Northwest Florida, under the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS). This role is designed for a physician who wants to practice evidence-based, patient-centered medicine without the administrative burdens, non-compete clauses, and high liability costs common in the private sector. Located on Florida's world-famous Emerald Coast, this position offers an incredible balance of professional fulfillment and a highly desirable coastal lifestyle.

About the Agency: Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System

The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS) is dedicated to fulfilling President Lincoln's historic promise: "To care for those who have borne the battle and for their families, caregivers, and survivors." GCVHCS serves a rapidly growing veteran population across Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle.

Our healthcare model emphasizes a "Whole Health" philosophy. This approach moves away from simply treating disease and instead partners with veterans to support their unique life goals and overall physical, mental, and emotional well-being. At our Eglin AFB outpatient clinic, you will work within a modern facility alongside a mission-driven team of professionals who respect your expertise and share your commitment to clinical excellence.

Living and working along the Gulf Coast offers an extraordinary quality of life. The region is famous for its picturesque, white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vast outdoor activities—including premier boating, deep-sea fishing, and championship golf courses. Combined with top-tier local schools, a lower cost of living, and a welcoming military community, Eglin AFB is an ideal place to establish long-term personal and professional roots.

Job Responsibilities

As a Primary Care Physician within the GCVHCS, you will be assigned a dedicated patient panel, serving as the central coordinator for their health and wellness needs. Outpatient primary care at the VA is structured around Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT), a multidisciplinary model that supports your practice with integrated nurses, clinical pharmacists, social workers, and administrative staff.

Your primary clinical and administrative responsibilities will include:

Comprehensive Patient Care: Diagnosing, treating, and managing acute and chronic medical conditions for adult veterans in an outpatient setting.
Preventive Medicine: Conducting wellness exams, screening procedures, and health education to empower patients to proactively manage their health.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Coordinating care with specialists, mental health professionals, and community resources to ensure seamless continuity of care.
Clinical Supervision: Serving as a supervising or collaborating physician for one or more mid-level providers (such as Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants), which includes reviewing clinical plans and offering professional oversight.
Administrative Integrity: Completing clinical documentation, addressing clinical reminders, and reviewing lab results in a timely, precise manner to meet departmental standards.
Emergency Response: Working within your clinical privileges at all times, except in rare emergencies where immediate, life-saving intervention is required.

Requirements and Qualifications

To ensure the highest standard of care for our veterans, applicants must meet several key federal requirements. Please review these qualification criteria carefully before submitting your application package:

Basic Requirements

U.S. Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed under rare circumstances when no qualified U.S. citizens are available.
Medical Degree: A Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree, or an equivalent medical degree, obtained from an institution accredited and approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the graduation year.
Active Licensure: A current, active, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Residency Training: Completion of an accredited residency program approved by the ACGME or AOA leading to board eligibility. (Under rare, exceptional circumstances, the VISN Director may approve exceptions for highly experienced candidates).
Language Proficiency: Candidates must demonstrate complete proficiency in spoken and written English.

Additional Conditions of Employment

Background Investigation: Candidates must successfully pass a comprehensive background and security suitability investigation.
Drug Screening: All selectees are subject to a pre-employment urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use.
Physical Standards: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination demonstrating the physical capacity to perform light lifting, standing, walking, and repeated bending.
Vaccination Policy: Participation in the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program is a mandatory condition of employment for all VHA health care personnel.
Selective Service: Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service System or have an approved exemption.

Salary and Compensation Overview

The VA offers a highly competitive salary structure designed to attract and retain outstanding medical talent. The base salary range for this Position Grade (VM-15) is $220,000 to $280,000 per year.

Your actual starting salary will be determined through a formal pay-setting process conducted by a credentialing board. This board will evaluate your specific clinical experience, board certifications, and professional accomplishments to place you within the established range. In addition to a competitive base salary, VA physicians are eligible for annual performance bonuses, regular cost-of-living adjustments, and periodic longevity-based salary increases.

The Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)

One of the most valuable financial benefits associated with this role is eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). This student loan reimbursement program provides up to $200,000 in tax-free loan repayment assistance over a one- to five-year period. To secure this benefit, you must submit an EDRP application within four months of your start date, subject to review and approval by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office.

Comprehensive Benefits Comparison

Working for the federal government provides a level of stability, benefits, and long-term security that is increasingly rare in private healthcare systems. Review the table below to see how a career with the VA compares to typical private practice opportunities:

Benefit Category	Veterans Health Administration (VHA)	Typical Private Practice
Restrictive Contracts	No employment contracts; no non-compete clauses.	Rigid contracts with restrictive non-compete clauses.
Malpractice Coverage	Full federal tort liability protection with tail coverage.	High insurance premiums; tail coverage often self-funded.
Paid Time Off (PTO)	50 to 55 days annually (Annual, Sick, Holidays, CME).	Typically 15 to 25 days with minimal sick leave.
Medical Licensure	Practice in any VA facility with any single state license.	Must hold an active license in the state of practice.
Retirement Pension	Guaranteed federal pension vested after only 5 years.	Rarely offered; retirement relies solely on 401(k).
Student Loan Support	Up to $200,000 tax-free reimbursement via EDRP.	Seldom offered, or capped at very low amounts.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Applying for a federal position requires careful attention to detail. Follow these steps to ensure your application package is complete and formatted correctly:

Download the Clinical Resume Template: The VA utilizes a standardized one-page Clinical Resume Document. You must download this template from the VA Careers site.
Prepare Your Uploads: Fill out the standardized one-page template. This file must be uploaded into the restricted "Resume" field on USAJOBS. Prepare your full, multi-page CV/Resume with your complete clinical history to upload into the "Other" document slot, which has no page limitations.
Log into USAJOBS: Go to the job posting page, sign into your account (or register for one), and click "Apply Online."
Complete the Questionnaire: Carefully answer the online occupational questionnaire, which assesses your clinical experience and competencies.
Attach Supporting Documents: Upload your standard Clinical Resume, your full CV, copies of your active medical licenses, board certifications, medical school transcripts, and DD-214 (if claiming Veterans' Preference).
Submit Your Application: Review all fields and submit your completed application before 11:59 PM Eastern Time on August 31, 2026.

Strategic Application Tips

Do Not Edit the Template: Upload the downloaded Clinical Resume Document exactly as formatted. Altering this single-page document can lead to administrative rejection.
Highlight Primary Care Experience: In your full CV, clearly detail your experience in family medicine, internal medicine, or geriatric care, as this directly influences both your eligibility and your starting salary placement.
Submit Early: This is an Open Continuous Announcement. Applications are evaluated as vacancies occur. Waiting until the final August 2026 deadline may mean the position is already filled.
Verify Your Documents: Ensure that copies of your medical license, board certifications, and transcripts are legible and current. Double-check that your state-issued ID is REAL ID compliant, as this will be required during the onboarding phase.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can non-citizens apply for this position?

Under federal law, U.S. citizens are given absolute preference. Non-citizens can only be appointed to healthcare roles in the VA when it is administratively impossible to recruit qualified citizens.

Q: What is the purpose of the two-step resume upload process?

The VA uses a standardized one-page template in the main "Resume" slot for automated tracking and initial screening. Your full, detailed professional background is captured via the detailed CV you upload in the "Other" document section.

Q: Are there opportunities for professional development or continuing education?

Yes. Board-certified, full-time VA physicians may receive up to $1,000 per year in CME expense reimbursement and up to 5 days of paid absence annually to attend professional conferences and complete educational courses.

Q: What happens after I submit my application?

Once submitted, your package will be reviewed for eligibility and basic qualifications. Eligible candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for review. If selected for an interview, you will be contacted directly by the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System hiring office.

A career as a Primary Care Physician at Eglin AFB with the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System is more than a job—it is an opportunity to practice high-quality, whole-health medicine while honoring those who served our nation. With an exceptional salary, comprehensive federal retirement benefits, malpractice coverage, and a student loan repayment program of up to $200,000, this position offers unmatched stability and professional satisfaction on Florida's Emerald Coast. Take the next step in your medical career and submit your application today.

Why This Physician - Primary Care Job Matters

Deliver exceptional, patient-centered care to our nation's heroes while enjoying an unmatched benefits package and a coastal lifestyle on Florida's beautiful Emerald Coast.

Physician - Primary Care Job Overview

The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System is seeking a dedicated Primary Care Physician to join the medical team at Eglin AFB, Florida. In this role, you will lead outpatient clinical care, manage a dedicated patient panel, collaborate with a multidisciplinary healthcare team, and provide supervisory oversight to mid-level clinical practitioners in a modern, supportive environment.

Requirements for Physician - Primary Care

Must be a United States citizen (non-citizens may only be appointed if no qualified citizens are available).
Possess a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from an accredited institution.
Hold an active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Completion of an approved residency program accredited by the ACGME or AOA (or recognized equivalency).
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation.
Subject to a pre-employment drug screening urinalysis.
Comply with the annual seasonal influenza vaccination mandate for healthcare personnel.
Must register with the Selective Service System if male and born after December 31, 1959.

Preferred Qualifications for Physician - Primary Care

Board certification in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine.
Two or more years of professional clinical experience in primary care or family medicine.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive annual salary range of $220,000 to $280,000 with regular pay increases and annual performance bonuses.
✓Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) student loan reimbursement of up to $200,000 over one to five years.
✓Extensive paid time off: 50 to 55 days annually (including 26 annual leave days, 13 sick leave days, 11 paid federal holidays, and up to 5 days of paid absence for CME).
✓Robust federal retirement system featuring a traditional defined-benefit pension (vested after 5 years) and a Thrift Savings Plan (401k equivalent) with up to 5% agency match.
✓Comprehensive health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance options that can be carried into retirement.
✓No restrictive physician employment contracts, non-compete clauses, or heavy limits on approved moonlighting.
✓Full malpractice liability protection and tail coverage provided by the federal government.
✓Potential sign-on or relocation incentive eligibility for highly-qualified applicants.
✓Up to $1,000 annual CME reimbursement for board-certified, full-time physicians.

💡 How to Apply Physician - Primary Care Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Physician - Primary Care Job

Step 1: Download the standardized clinical resume template from the VA Careers website.
Step 2: Access the job announcement on USAJOBS and log in or create an account.
Step 3: Complete the online occupational questionnaire and attach your application documents.
Step 4: Upload the mandatory standardized one-page Clinical Resume Document directly into the restricted 'Resume' slot.
Step 5: Upload your comprehensive CV, board certifications, and licensure documentation into the 'Other' document slot (which has no page limitations).
Step 6: Submit your complete package before the closing date of August 31, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Do not modify the format of the downloadable Clinical Resume Document. It must be uploaded directly to the specific 'Resume' field to pass administrative review.
Ensure your primary CV explicitly highlights any primary care experience, leadership roles, and board certifications, as these are used during the formal pay-setting process.
If you are a veteran claiming hiring preference, attach a legible copy of your DD-214 or active duty separation documentation and an SF-15 form if applicable.
Apply early; this is an open continuous announcement, meaning applications are reviewed and referred in periodic batches as vacancies arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this position eligible for remote work or telework?

No, this role requires physical, on-site clinical presence at the Eglin AFB clinic to provide direct face-to-face primary care to veterans.

What is the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)?

EDRP is a VHA student loan repayment program that can reimburse eligible clinical employees up to $200,000 over a five-year period. Applications must be submitted within four months of your appointment date.

Do I need a Florida medical license to practice at this facility?

No. Because this is a federal position, a full, active, and unrestricted license from any U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth is fully accepted.

Are there restrictive non-compete clauses in the employment agreement?

No. VA physicians do not sign restrictive commercial employment contracts, allowing for reasonable, pre-approved moonlighting and outside professional opportunities.