Serving Those Who Served: A Premier Career as a VA Cardiologist in Cape Coral, Florida

Choosing a career path in medicine is as much about finding clinical alignment as it is about secure lifestyle Integration. For cardiologists, the option to practice non-invasive clinical medicine in a collaborative, resource-rich environment while serving a highly deserving patient population represents the pinnacle of career fulfillment.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is seeking a talented and compassionate Physician (Cardiologist) to join the esteemed medical staff at the Lee County Healthcare Center in Cape Coral, Florida. This outpatient-based position combines top-tier clinical medicine with an outstanding quality of life, robust retirement security, and substantial student loan reimbursement benefits.

About the Agency: The C.W. Bill Young Veterans Health Administration

The Department of Veterans Affairs operates under a single, noble mission: "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors." As the nation’s largest integrated healthcare network, the VHA employs dedicated professionals who leverage advanced technology to deliver holistic, patient-centered care.

The C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center system (CWBY VAMC) consists of a Level 1a Complexity medical facility based in St. Petersburg, Florida, alongside various expansive community outpatient locations. The Lee County Healthcare Center in Cape Coral, Florida, stands out as a state-of-the-art facility providing comprehensive outpatient care, mental health services, specialty consultations, and diagnostics. By joining this group, you become part of an interdisciplinary, collaborative team of doctors, advanced practice nurses, and administrative specialists dedicated to providing top-tier medical care without the commercialized pressures often found in corporate healthcare models.

Job Responsibilities: Advanced Outpatient & Consultative Cardiology

As a Non-Invasive Cardiologist at the Lee County Healthcare Center, your role focuses on providing clinical excellence in consultative, diagnostic, and long-term cardiology services to veterans. This is primarily an outpatient clinic-based role where you can formulate longitudinal treatment programs without heavy emergency on-call stress.

Key duties and expectations of this role include:

Comprehensive Diagnostics & Consultation: Conduct non-invasive cardiology assessments, diagnose complex cardiovascular issues, and recommend personalized care strategies for patients suffering from coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and other cardiac conditions.
Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration: Partner daily with primary care physicians, nursing staff, pharmacists, and rehabilitation specialists to implement holistic treatment designs.
Supervision & Mentorship: Guide and mentor Physician Assistants (PAs), Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), and medical residents rotating through the facility. This includes completing annual performance reviews and summarizing clinical competencies.
Clinical Education Support: Engage in the instructional goals of the VHA by teaching students and rotating residents when they are assigned to your specialty clinic.
Grid and Access Optimization: Participate actively in scheduling grid management alongside the Section Chief to ensure timely clinic access, optimized space utilization, and balanced clinical productivity.
Regulatory & Ethical Compliance: Adhere to all VHA regulations, national quality standards, and ethical medical guidelines.

Technical Requirements & Candidate Qualifications

To ensure our Veterans receive world-class care, applicants must meet several basic requirements and professional standard checks:

Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship is required. Non-citizens are only considered if there are no qualified citizens available.
Education: A Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from an approved, accredited school of medicine. Foreign medical graduates must provide ECFMG certification.
Licensure: Must hold a current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. State, Territory, or the District of Columbia.
Residency Training: Successful completion of an accredited core residency training program in internal medicine followed by an accredited fellowship in Cardiology (approved by the ACGME or AOA) that leads directly to board eligibility.
Language Proficiency: Competency in spoken and written English is mandatory.
Physical Requirements: Candidates must pass a physical examination to ensure rapid mental and muscular coordination, the capacity for prolonged standing (6 to 8 hours daily), and reaching overhead.

Preferred Experience

Active Board Certification in Cardiology / Cardiovascular Disease.
Strong record of outpatient clinical practice and active involvement in non-invasive imaging.
Proven experience in teaching and supervising mid-level providers.

Salary Overview and Financial Incentives

The VA utilizes a structured, formal pay-setting board process to establish physician compensation packages based on local market rates, academic achievements, clinical background, and experience.

Salary Range: $300,000 to $400,000 per year (VM-15 grade level).
Sign-On Incentives: A recruitment sign-on bonus may be offered to highly qualified candidates.
Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): This position is eligible for up to $200,000 in student loan debt reimbursement over a five-year period.

Comparing VA Compensation with Private Sector Standards

Benefit / Feature	VA Health Administration Package	Typical Private Sector Standard
Annual Salary Range	$300,000 - $400,000 (stable base pay)	Highly variable, often tied to high RVU quotas
Paid Time Off (PTO)	50 to 55 days annually	15 to 25 days (accrued and highly restricted)
Malpractice Protection	Free, comprehensive federal liability coverage	Expensive individual policies with costly tail requirements
Student Loan Support	Up to $200,000 tax-free reimbursement via EDRP	Rarely offered, or bound by heavy work restrictions
Contract Restrictions	No restrictive covenants or non-competes	Heavy non-compete clauses and limited moonlighting

Unparalleled Federal Benefits Package

Beyond competitive pay, federal physicians enjoy a comprehensive suite of benefits that safeguard health, family, and financial futures:

Paid Leave: Enjoy an incredible work-life balance with 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and up to 5 days of administrative absence for continuing medical education (CME) annually.
Retirement Programs: Federal employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), a three-tiered retirement program consisting of a traditional defined-benefit pension (vested after 5 years), Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The TSP is a 401(k)-style plan where the government matches up to 5% of your contributions.
Insurance Offerings: Access a diverse array of premium federal plans, including the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), and long-term care options. Crucially, FEHB health coverage can be carried into retirement.
No Non-Compete Clauses: Unlike many corporate healthcare networks, VA contracts do not impose restrictive non-compete clauses, allowing you maximum flexibility and free-market autonomy.

Strategic Application Tips and Guidelines

To successfully navigate the USAJOBS platform and ensure your application package reaches the hiring manager, keep the following guidance in mind:

Use the Mandatory Resume Template Placeholder: To complete your online application, download the standard Clinical Resume Document from the official VA Careers portal. Upload this one-page, unmodified document into the system-restricted "Resume" field.
Upload Your Comprehensive CV in "Other": Since the "Resume" field is limited, upload your detailed, multi-page CV (without page limits) into the "Other" document upload slot. This ensures your complete training and clinical history are reviewed by the credentialing board.
Submit Your DD-214 and Veterans' Preference Forms: If claiming veteran preference, you must upload a copy of your DD-214 showing character of service. If seeking 10-point preference, attach an SF-15 with supporting documentation.
Prepare for REAL ID Compliance: Be aware that as of May 7, 2025, any state driver's license utilized during your pre-employment verification process must be fully REAL ID compliant.

Q2: What diagnostics are managed by this clinic?

This non-invasive role focuses on clinical outpatient evaluations, EKGs, echocardiography, stress testing, and consultative oversight for cardiac patient pathways.

Q3: How is my base salary calculated?

Your final salary is set by a dedicated Compensation Panel of peer physicians. They evaluate your post-residency experience, board certifications, academic contributions, and local geographic marketplace data to determine your starting salary within the $300,000 to $400,000 range.

Q4: Does this position require a background check?

Yes. This position is subject to a background suitability and fitness investigation, including credentialing checks, reference verifications, and drug screening.

If you are a non-invasive cardiologist seeking a rewarding clinical role with a standard Monday-to-Friday schedule, stable federal compensation, and an inspiring daily mission, this position in Cape Coral, Florida is an exceptional fit. Take control of your career path, support our country's veterans, and enjoy life on the Gulf Coast. Apply online today to start your journey with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Why This Physician (Cardiologist) Job Matters

Elevate your medical career as a VA Cardiologist in Cape Coral, Florida, earning up to $400,000 per year with free malpractice coverage, 50+ days of annual time off, and up to $200,000 in student loan repayment.

Physician (Cardiologist) Job Overview

The C.W. Bill Young Veterans Health Administration is recruiting a Board-Certified or Board-Eligible Non-Invasive Cardiologist for the Lee County Healthcare Center in Cape Coral, Florida. This vital outpatient position focuses on comprehensive, non-invasive cardiac evaluation, clinical consultations, and the education and supervision of mid-level practitioners and medical residents. In addition to a stable, highly competitive salary, the selected physician will enjoy an unmatched federal benefits suite, including student loan reimbursement and flexible, lifestyle-friendly scheduling.

Requirements for Physician (Cardiologist)

United States Citizenship (Non-citizens will only be considered if no qualified citizens are available).
A medical degree (MD or DO) from an institution accredited by the LCME or COCA, or equivalent international medical education with valid ECFMG verification.
A current, active, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Successful completion of an ACGME- or AOA-accredited residency program in Cardiology or equivalent board eligibility.
Full proficiency in spoken and written English.
Passing results on a pre-employment physical examination (as mandated by VA Handbook 5019) and a pre-employment drug screening.
Compliance with the seasonal influenza immunization mandate.
Ability to satisfy background check and suitability/fitness investigation criteria.

Preferred Qualifications for Physician (Cardiologist)

Full board certification in Cardiovascular Disease / Cardiology.
Demonstrated clinical experience in an outpatient-based clinical cardiology setting.
Proven experience supervising Physician Assistants, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, and medical residents, including conducting clinical performance evaluations.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Highly competitive base pay range of $300,000 to $400,000 per year with regular cost-of-living adjustments and performance-based bonuses.
✓Eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) offering up to $200,000 in student loan reimbursement.
✓Recruitment sign-on incentives for highly qualified medical specialists.
✓Generous paid time off program featuring 50 to 55 days off annually (26 annual leave days, 13 sick leave days, 11 federal holidays, and up to 5 days for CME).
✓Traditional federal pension (vested after 5 years of service) and Thrift Savings Plan (401k) with up to 5% employer matching contributions.
✓Comprehensive federal health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance plans that can be carried into retirement.
✓Free federal malpractice liability protection with complete tail coverage.
✓No restrictive employment contracts and minimal, non-restrictive policies regarding outside moonlighting.

💡 How to Apply Physician (Cardiologist) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Physician (Cardiologist) Job

Log into or create your USAJOBS account.
Navigate to the application page and select your saved resume and any supporting federal documents.
Complete the specialized online occupational assessment questionnaire.
Download the mandatory one-page clinical resume placeholder document from the VA Careers portal.
Upload the mandatory one-page placeholder document to the restricted 'Resume' slot.
Upload your actual, multi-page comprehensive CV or medical resume to the 'Other' document upload field.
Verify that all credentials, licenses, and DD-214 documents (if claiming Veterans' Preference) are attached prior to submission.
Submit your complete application package before the closing date of December 31, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Strictly follow the dual-resume upload instructions: failure to upload the correct one-page standard placeholder to the 'Resume' section can cause automated system rejection. Your actual clinical CV should go into the 'Other' section.
Detail your experiences in supervising resident physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, as mid-level oversight is a primary duty for this cardiology role.
If claiming Veterans' Preference, submit a legible copy of your DD-214 showing an honorable discharge or active service documentation if within 120 days of separation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is relocation assistance provided for this cardiology position?

Relocation reimbursement is not authorized for this specific vacancy. However, a significant recruitment incentive (sign-on bonus) may be offered to highly qualified candidates.

What are the terms of the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)?

EDRP provides up to $200,000 in tax-free student loan reimbursement over a period of one to five years. Eligible candidates must apply within the first four months of their starting appointment, subject to VHA program approval.

What does the typical work schedule look like for this clinical role?

The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. There are no heavy on-call or weekend demands typically associated with private practice hospital structures, though minor adjustments may occur based on patient care requirements.

Am I required to be a U.S. Citizen to apply?

Yes, U.S. Citizenship is a basic requirement. Non-citizens can only be considered in rare instances where no qualified citizens are available to fill the position, in strict accordance with VA recruitment policies.

Q1: Is this a remote or telework-eligible position?

No. Due to the high clinical demands of diagnostic testing, patient consultation, and physical assessment, this outpatient position is entirely on-site at the Lee County Healthcare Center in Cape Coral, FL.