Serving Those Who Served: Elevate Your Career as a Physician Gynecologist at VA Northern California

For medical professionals, few career paths are as rewarding as caring for the brave men and women who have defended our nation. The Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically the VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS), is offering an unparalleled clinical opportunity for an experienced, board-certified Gynecologist to join its team at Mather Air Force Base, California. This role represents a rare intersection of clinical autonomy, work-life balance, top-tier compensation, and deep personal fulfillment.

Working within the VA healthcare ecosystem frees you from the administrative burdens and high-pressure productivity quotas typical of private practice. Instead, you can focus entirely on what matters most: delivering high-quality, comprehensive clinical care to a uniquely deserving patient population. Read on to learn more about this exceptional career opportunity, the outstanding total rewards package, and how you can apply to make a lasting impact on Veterans' health.

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About the Agency: VA Northern California Health Care System

The VA Northern California Health Care System is a premier, integrated healthcare delivery network. Spanning a vast geographic region, VANCHCS offers medical, surgical, mental health, rehabilitative, and extended care services. At the heart of this network is the clinical facility at Mather AFB, serving the vibrant, expanding Sacramento metropolitan area.

The Sacramento Advantage

Sacramento, the capital of California, has evolved into a highly desirable destination for medical professionals and families alike. The region offers an exceptional quality of life with a diverse range of cultural, academic, and outdoor activities. Key highlights of living and working in this region include:

• Rich Culture and Recreation: Home to a thriving riverfront harbor, historic architecture, premier dining, and over 100 municipal parks.
• Outdoor Activities: Easy access to the scenic American River Parkway trails, world-class skiing at Lake Tahoe, and the globally famous Napa Valley wine region.
• Sports and Entertainment: Catch a game with the Sacramento River Cats (the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants) or enjoy the thriving live theater and music scenes.
• Academic Excellence: The area is anchored by several major universities and research centers, fostering a collaborative, intellectually stimulating environment.

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Job Responsibilities: Clinical and Administrative Excellence

As a staff Gynecologist within VANCHCS, your practice will cover a full spectrum of preventative, diagnostic, and surgical interventions for female Veterans. The patient panel spans the pre-childbearing, childbearing, and post-menopausal years, requiring an adaptable clinician with a wide range of expertise.

Your day-to-day duties will include, but are not limited to, the following core responsibilities:

1. Diagnostic and Preventative Health: Perform routine health screenings, including Pap smears, pelvic examinations, breast exams, and comprehensive clinical assessments.
2. Outpatient Gynecology Clinic: Diagnose, treat, and manage complex reproductive disorders, including endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic pain, ovarian cysts, and infertility issues.
3. Office-Based Procedures: Execute routine, minimally invasive office procedures (such as colposcopies, endometrial biopsies, and vulvar procedures) using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment.
4. Surgical Interventions: Perform advanced gynecological surgeries to treat structural, benign, and malignant diseases of the female reproductive system.
5. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with primary care providers, oncologists, urologists, and other medical specialists to deliver patient-centered, comprehensive care.
6. On-Call and Emergency Coverage: Provide emergency department consultation and call coverage in accordance with department and hospital protocols.
7. Documentation: Maintain meticulous electronic health records (EHR) within the VA’s nationwide medical documentation network.

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Qualifications and Requirements

To maintain the highest standard of care for our nation's Veterans, candidates must meet rigorous academic, clinical, and administrative benchmarks.

Core Professional Requirements

• Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed if a vacancy cannot be filled by a qualified citizen.
• Education: A Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from an accredited institution. Foreign medical graduates must hold equivalent certification from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
• 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 a residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
• English Proficiency: Demonstrated fluency in both written and spoken English.

Clinical Recency Standards

This position requires an active surgical clinician. Specifically, candidates must demonstrate:

• Board Certification: Board eligibility or certification in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
• Active Clinical Practice: Strong documentation of performing GYN office-based procedures within the past 2 years.
• Surgical Recency: Strong documentation of active GYN surgical cases performed within the past 2 years.

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Salary and Total Compensation Overview

Unlike traditional clinical models where income is tied to Relative Value Units (RVUs) or billing metrics, the VA offers a stable, highly predictable, and competitive salary structure. Compensation is determined via a formal peer-review pay-setting process that evaluates your years of experience, specialized training, and board credentials.

Comparison of VA Physician Compensation vs. Typical Private Sector Packages

Compensation Element	VA Physician Package	Typical Private Sector Contract
Base Salary Range	$340,000 - $355,000 (Highly stable, guaranteed)	Highly variable, heavily reliant on billing/RVUs
Malpractice Coverage	Free Federal Tort Claims Act coverage + complete tail	Expensive premium costs; tail coverage often restricted
Student Loan Repayment	Up to $200,000 over 5 years via EDRP	Limited or non-existent loan support
Paid Time Off (PTO)	50 - 55 Days Annually	15 - 25 Days average
Restrictive Covenants	No non-compete clauses; moonlighting permitted	Strict geographic and clinical non-compete terms

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Comprehensive Federal Benefits

Beyond a premium base salary, the Department of Veterans Affairs provides an outstanding, comprehensive suite of benefits that surpasses industry standards.

Student Loan Relief (EDRP)

This position is eligible for the highly coveted Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). This incentive program provides direct reimbursement for qualifying medical school loans, offering up to $200,000 over five years. It is designed to significantly accelerate your path to debt-free medical practice.

Retirement and Pension Plans

VA physicians are eligible for the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), a multi-tiered retirement program that provides peace of mind for you and your family:

• Basic Benefit Plan (Pension): A guaranteed lifetime monthly annuity, vested after just 5 years of federal service.
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): A federal 401(k) equivalent with a dollar-for-dollar agency matching contribution of up to 5%.
• Social Security: Seamless integration into your broader retirement portfolio.

Unparalleled Paid Time Off (PTO)

Maintain an exceptional work-life balance with a rich time-off allotment:

• 26 Days of Annual Leave (vacation and personal time).
• 13 Days of Sick Leave (with unlimited accrual and rollover).
• 11 Paid Federal Holidays annually.
• 5 Days of Paid Absence for approved Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities.

Liability and Malpractice Coverages

As a federal employee, you are protected under the Federal Tort Claims Act. You will never pay out-of-pocket for medical malpractice insurance, and comprehensive tail coverage is included automatically, providing substantial annual savings and peace of mind.

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Pro Application Tips for Aspiring VA Physicians

Applying for a federal physician vacancy requires attention to detail. Follow these strategic tips to optimize your application:

1. Utilize the Standard VA Clinical Resume Template: The VA has a strict, standardized format for the initial document upload. Download the standard one-page Clinical Resume Document from the official VA Careers site. This one-page document must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field in USAJobs. Do not alter its structure.
2. Upload Your Full CV Separately: You can upload your complete, multi-page professional CV (without page limitations) in the 'Other' document upload field. Ensure your CV outlines your exact clinical procedures, surgical history, and dates of board certification.
3. Explicitly Detail Your Recency of Practice: Because this role requires active surgical and clinical procedures within the past 24 months, make sure your clinical history clearly highlights the volume and types of surgeries and office procedures you have completed recently.
4. Claim Your Veterans' Preference: If you are a military Veteran, ensure you claim your hiring preference. Upload a legible copy of your DD-214 (showing dates and character of service, such as Honorable) and, if applicable, an SF-15 form with supporting disability documentation.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is this position eligible for remote work or telework?

A: No. Due to the hands-on clinical and surgical nature of this role, this position requires onsite, full-time presence at the Mather AFB clinical facility and is not eligible for telework.

Q: What are the primary working hours for this role?

A: The standard work schedule is full-time, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. However, you will also participate in rotating on-call coverage for evenings, weekends, and holidays according to department needs.

Q: Will the VA help pay off my medical school loans?

A: Yes. This position is authorized for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). Qualified candidates can receive up to $200,000 in student loan reimbursement over five years. Applications must be completed and submitted within the first four months of your appointment.

Q: Can I apply if I am currently a resident?

A: Yes. Residents currently enrolled in ACGME or AOA-accredited programs may be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs) on an intermittent, supervised basis, provided they hold a full, unrestricted state medical license. Full-time, independent clinical appointments require completion of your residency program.

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The Physician Gynecologist position at the VA Northern California Health Care System represents more than a job—it is a mission. By joining the dedicated team at Mather AFB, you will provide critical healthcare services to women Veterans while enjoying an exceptional salary, comprehensive retirement benefits, and a supportive, collaborative professional culture. Take the next step in your medical career today and serve those who served.