Gastroenterologist (GI) Physician Careers with the Veterans Health Administration

Are you looking for a clinical role that combines elite medical practice with a deeply meaningful mission? The Department of Veterans Affairs has an opening for a Gastroenterologist (GI) Physician to serve at the Buffalo VAMC within the Western New York Health Care System. This unique opportunity offers medical professionals a flexible, intermittent fee-basis framework to deliver top-tier gastrointestinal and hepatological care directly to our nation's military veterans.

Providing medical care to Veterans is more than a job; it is a profound service. Below, we break down everything you need to know about this open medical officer role, including agency insights, key duties, licensing parameters, compensation structures, and a step-by-step guide to navigating the specialized VA application process.

About the Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the largest integrated healthcare network in the United States, dedicated entirely to fulfilling President Lincoln’s promise: "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors." Operating under the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the Western New York Health Care System serves as a vital anchor of support, providing comprehensive whole-health solutions to thousands of regional Veterans.

The Buffalo VAMC is a modern, collaborative facility that integrates clinical excellence, medical research, and academic partnerships. Physicians here work in multidisciplinary environments, cooperating with specialized nurses, technicians, and administrators to ensure that care plans are streamlined, empathetic, and evidence-based. By joining the VHA medical family, you step into a system designed around patient outcomes rather than corporate insurance metrics.

Job Responsibilities of a VA Gastroenterologist

As an intermittent Gastroenterologist within the Western New York Health Care System, your primary clinical focus will be evaluating, diagnosing, and treating veterans with complex diseases of the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Key responsibilities include:

Outpatient Clinic Support: Managing assigned outpatient clinics focused on the diagnosis and long-term care of chronic GI and hepatological conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hepatitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Endoscopic Procedures: Safely performing diagnostic and therapeutic Esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGDs), colonoscopies, and other essential gastroenterology procedures within the hospital’s state-of-the-art endoscopy suites.
Patient and Family Advocacy: Communicating complex diagnostic findings clearly, educating patient families, and formulating integrated treatment plans that line up with VA's whole-health care approach.
Expert Clinical Judgment: Regularly demonstrating clinical competency in evaluating high-risk cases and determining the appropriate paths for pharmaceutical, surgical, or lifestyle interventions.

Comprehensive Candidate Requirements

To qualify for this GS-15 equivalent Medical Officer position, you must meet the rigid clinical and administrative standards mandated by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Basic Requirements

U.S. Citizenship: Generally, applicants must be citizens of the United States. Non-citizens are considered for hire only in exceptional circumstances where no qualified U.S. citizens can be recruited.
Academic Credentials: You must hold a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree, or an equivalent medical degree, from an institution accredited by either the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) during your graduation year.
Active Medical Licensure: You must possess 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 and Fellowship Training: Candidates must have successfully completed an accredited residency or fellowship training program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) that leads directly to board eligibility or certification in Gastroenterology.
Language Proficiency: Candidates must be fully proficient in written and spoken English.

Physical and Security Screening

All potential hires must successfully pass a pre-employment physical examination, background investigation, and suitability clearance. Additionally, this position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP), meaning you must clear a pre-employment drug screen (urinalysis) and remain compliant with the VA's drug-free policy. Consistent with health and safety standards for patient-facing clinicians, annual seasonal influenza vaccination is a mandatory condition of employment.

Salary Overview: Understanding the "Fee-Basis" Structure

The job vacancy posting displays a compensation figure of $100 per year. Candidates should understand that this is an administrative placeholder value commonly used by the Federal Government for "Fee-Basis" and "Intermittent" clinical positions.

Because fee-basis clinicians do not have standard full-time schedules, they are compensated dynamically. The exact financial structure, whether based on clinical sessions, procedures performed, or hourly shifts, is determined individually during a formal federal pay-setting process. Your experience, board certifications, and historical clinical performance will directly influence your final negotiated compensation package.

Comparing Federal GI Careers vs. Private Sector Positions

Practicing gastroenterology within the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a distinct experience compared to traditional private practice or corporate healthcare systems.

Clinical Metric	VA Healthcare System (Intermittent)	Private Practice / Corporate Medicine
Licensure Requirements	Licensure in any state allows you to practice at the Buffalo VAMC.	Requires an active, costly license specific to the state of practice.
Billing & Administration	Minimal billing bureaucracy; clinical focus remains purely on patient outcomes.	Heavy burden of insurance coding, prior authorizations, and RVU tracking.
Work Schedule	High flexibility; intermittent, on-call, or pre-arranged outpatient blocks.	Often demands rigid clinical hours, extensive call rotations, and productivity quotas.
Patient Demographics	Centered on serving United States military veterans.	Broad, insurance-dependent consumer demographic.

Application Tips and Document Instructions

The Department of Veterans Affairs utilizes a unique resume structure for clinical vacancies. To ensure your application packet passes the initial HR screening, pay close attention to the following guidelines:

The Two-Step Resume Process: VA requires a standardized template to verify basic eligibility. You must download the official VA Clinical Resume Document. This is a one-page, non-editable template.
How to Upload: Upload this downloaded, unmodified one-page document into the slot labeled 'Resume' in USAStaffing. Do not worry about its brevity—this fulfills the portal's system requirements. You should then upload your complete, multi-page curriculum vitae (CV) containing your comprehensive list of residencies, fellowships, publications, and state licenses into the 'Other' document upload field.
Detail Your Experience: Clearly specify dates of employment (including month and year) and indicate whether your past experience was full-time, part-time, or voluntary. All of these factors assist the credentialing board in establishing your grade and pay scale.
Keep References Handy: The VA performs comprehensive pre-employment reference checks early in the selection process, so ensure your professional contact lists are up to date.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I apply if I am currently in a fellowship program?

Yes. Residents or fellows currently enrolled in ACGME or AOA accredited training programs who expect to complete their training soon may be referred and tentatively selected. However, you cannot officially start work until all graduation, licensing, and credentialing requirements are fully completed.

Q2: What identification documents are required for pre-employment?

To comply with federal onboarding regulations, you must present valid, unexpired identification. Note that beginning May 7, 2025, any state-issued driver's license or ID card used for federal employment verification must be REAL ID compliant.

Q3: What happens if I am granted a medical or religious exemption for the influenza vaccine?

All healthcare personnel who receive a formal medical or religious exemption from the seasonal influenza vaccination are required to wear a protective face mask in clinical areas during active influenza seasons. Failing to comply with vaccination directives or masking protocols can result in administrative actions.

Q4: Does this position qualify for relocation expenses?

No. Relocation expenses or recruitment incentives are not authorized for this intermittent, fee-basis position.

If you are a Board-Certified or Board-Eligible Gastroenterologist seeking a clinical environment focused on the art of medicine rather than insurance-driven administration, this role at the Buffalo VAMC is an ideal fit. Operating on a flexible fee-basis structure, you can easily integrate this work with academic pursuits, research, or private endeavors while contributing directly to the health and well-being of the Western New York Veteran community. Review the requirements, download the mandated clinical resume template, and submit your application today.

Why This Gastroenterologist (Gi) Physician Job Matters

Step into a vital clinical role serving America's heroes. Join the Buffalo VAMC as a Fee-Basis Gastroenterologist and deliver life-changing care to Veterans in Western New York.

Gastroenterologist (Gi) Physician Job Overview

The Western New York Health Care System is seeking an experienced, dedicated Gastroenterology (GI) Physician to join the medical team at the Buffalo VAMC. This is a part-time, intermittent fee-basis position offering clinical flexibility. In this role, you will lead outpatient clinics, perform essential diagnostic procedures like EGDs and colonoscopies, and provide critical care for Veterans dealing with complex gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders.

Requirements for Gastroenterologist (Gi) Physician

Must be a United States Citizen (non-citizens may be considered only if no qualified citizens are available).
Possess a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from an approved/accredited institution.
Hold an active, current, full, and unrestricted medical license from any US State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Completion of an approved ACGME or AOA residency/fellowship program leading to board certification eligibility in Gastroenterology.
Proficient in verbal and written English.
Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and background security screening.
Subject to pre-employment drug screening (urinalysis).
Mandatory participation in the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program (or authorized exemption).

Preferred Qualifications for Gastroenterologist (Gi) Physician

Board Certification in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) or the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine (AOBIM).
Prior experience practicing in an academic medical center or teaching hospital environment.
Strong clinical track record performing advanced or standard endoscopic procedures.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Flexible scheduling under an intermittent, fee-basis arrangement.
✓Opportunity to give back to the Veteran community in a supportive team environment.
✓Access to state-of-the-art medical facilities and equipment at the Buffalo VAMC.
✓Federal employment protections and support services.

💡 How to Apply Gastroenterologist (Gi) Physician Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Gastroenterologist (Gi) Physician Job

Click the 'Apply Online' link to log into or create your USAJOBS account.
Select and attach your USAJOBS resume and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Download the required standard Clinical Resume Document from the VA Careers site.
Upload the completed one-page Clinical Resume Document into the restricted 'Resume' slot.
Upload your full CV/resume into the 'Other' document field to ensure unlimited pages for review.
Submit all materials and answers before the closing deadline on September 30, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Do not edit or modify the format of the standard clinical resume document before uploading it to the restricted field; keep it strictly as downloaded.
Ensure your primary CV is uploaded to the 'Other' field to guarantee the hiring committee can review your complete clinical background without page limits.
Verify that all licenses, board certifications, and residency details are clearly documented on your main CV.
Submit your application early, as the announcement may close prior to the listed deadline if the vacancy is filled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fee-basis or intermittent position?

An intermittent or fee-basis position means there is no guaranteed or set schedule. Work is performed on an as-needed basis, and compensation is typically structured per service or shift, despite the administrative $100/year placeholder listed on the vacancy.

Do I need a New York medical license to apply?

No. Because this is a federal position with the Department of Veterans Affairs, you can hold an active, unrestricted medical license from any US State, Territory, or Commonwealth.

Are non-citizens eligible to apply?

United States citizens receive first priority. Non-citizens may only be appointed if there are no qualified US citizens available to fill the vacancy.

What is the requirement for the clinical resume template?

Applicants must download the one-page Clinical Resume Document from the VA website, upload it without modifications into the designated 'Resume' field, and upload their complete, detailed CV into the 'Other' category.