Physician - Health Informatics Opportunity with the Department of Veterans Affairs

Are you a skilled physician passionate about leveraging technology to enhance patient care and streamline healthcare operations? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) invites experienced physicians to apply for a crucial Physician - Health Informatics role at the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) in Iowa City, Iowa. This position offers a unique opportunity to combine your clinical expertise with advanced informatics knowledge, directly impacting the well-being of our nation's Veterans. With a competitive salary range of $250,000 to $400,000 per year, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to professional growth, this is a chance to advance your career while serving those who have served us.

About the Department of Veterans Affairs & Iowa City VA Health Care System

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, dedicated to fulfilling President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in the nation's military. The VA's mission is to honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. The Iowa City VA Health Care System (ICVAHCS) exemplifies this mission, serving over 50,000 Veterans across Eastern Iowa, Western Illinois, and Northern Missouri.

ICVAHCS is more than just a hospital; it's a hub for innovation, education, and compassionate care. Recognized as a 5-Star CMS-rated facility and holding the prestigious ANA Pathway to Excellence® designation, ICVAHCS sets a high standard for quality care and workplace culture. Its strong affiliation with the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine makes it a premier teaching hospital, providing providers with exceptional opportunities for research, collaboration, and professional development. The system includes a comprehensive Tertiary Care Level I VA Health Care System, eleven VA Clinics, two Homeless Veterans Outreach Centers, and a significant research department through the Center for Access & Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE).

Job Responsibilities: Driving Healthcare Excellence Through Informatics

As a Physician - Health Informatics at ICVAHCS, you will be instrumental in establishing and maintaining a vital informatics leadership presence within the facility. Your primary focus will be to integrate informatics knowledge throughout the health care system, ensuring that critical health information issues impacting patient care are effectively identified and addressed.

Key responsibilities include:

Optimizing Patient Care Delivery: Utilizing your understanding of clinical practice and informatics concepts to enhance healthcare processes and outcomes.
Information & Knowledge Management: Assessing and addressing the information and knowledge needs of healthcare professionals and patients.
Clinical Process Improvement: Characterizing, evaluating, and refining clinical workflows and processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Decision Support Systems: Developing, implementing, and refining clinical decision support systems to aid in patient management.
Information System Management: Participating in the procurement, customization, implementation, management, evaluation, and continuous improvement of clinical information systems.
Core Informatics Functions: Demonstrating proficiency in essential informatics functions, including application support, business architecture management, enterprise data management, content management, system optimization, change management, requirements management, and partnership management.
Leadership Advisory: Serving as a key advisor to facility leadership, including the Medical Center Director, Chief of Staff, and Associate Directors, on informatics-related matters.
Change Agent: Acting as a strong agent for change, understanding the diverse needs of various professional groups (nurses, physicians, pharmacists, etc.) and the organizational structure of ICVAHCS.
Whole Health System Alignment: Supporting the VHA's Whole Health System of care approach, which empowers Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being through personalized health plans, healing relationships, supportive environments, and community connections.

Requirements for Qualification

To be considered for this role, candidates must meet specific basic and additional requirements. Please note that applicants pending completion of training or licensure may be considered but will only be hired once all requirements are fulfilled.

Basic Requirements:

U.S. Citizenship: Non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified U.S. citizens are unavailable.
Medical Degree: A degree of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or an equivalent degree from an accredited allopathic or osteopathic medical school is required. The school must have held appropriate accreditation (LCME for allopathic, COCA for osteopathic) at the time of course completion. Foreign medical graduates must have confirmation of ECFMG eligibility.
Medical Licensure: A current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia is mandatory.
Residency Training: Completion of an ACGME or AOA-approved residency training program is required. Alternative pathways include one year of post-medical school training followed by two years of independent practice, or non-U.S. residency training followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the U.S., as deemed appropriate by the local Medical Staff Executive Committee.
English Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency in spoken and written English.

Preferred Experience:

Experience with Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, particularly Oracle EHR, or involvement in EHR implementation initiatives.
Demonstrated competencies in advanced health informatics, encompassing EHR modernization, workflow optimization, clinical process improvement, data analytics, quality metrics, and enterprise system support.
Possession of an informatics certification or a commitment to obtain one within one year of hire.

Salary Overview

This position offers a highly competitive annual salary ranging from $250,000 to $400,000. The exact salary will be determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications and experience through a formal pay-setting process.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

The VA offers a robust total rewards package designed to support employee well-being and professional longevity:

Benefit Category	Details
Paid Time Off	26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays annually. Potential for 5 paid CME days.
Retirement	Traditional federal pension (5-year vesting) and Federal 401K with up to 5% VA contribution.
Insurance	Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care options, often transferable into retirement.
Professional Development	Up to $1,000 annual reimbursement for Continuing Medical Education (CME).
Liability Protection	Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage provided.
Work-Life Balance	No physician employment contract with significant restrictions on moonlighting.

Application Process and Tips

To apply for this exciting opportunity, follow these steps:

Create or Log In: Visit USAJOBS.gov and create a new account or log in to your existing one.
Build Your Application: Select your USAJOBS resume and upload any other required supporting documents.
Complete the Questionnaire: Carefully answer all questions in the occupational questionnaire. Your responses are critical for determining your qualifications.
Submit: Click "Submit My Answers" to finalize and submit your application package before the closing date of December 2, 2026.

Helpful Tips:

Detail Your Experience: Ensure your resume comprehensively details your professional experience, including relevant informatics skills and clinical responsibilities.
Accuracy is Key: Double-check all information submitted for accuracy. Errors or omissions can affect your application status.
Review Frequently Asked Questions: Visit the USAJOBS Help Center for additional guidance on the application process.
Veterans' Preference: Eligible Veterans should ensure they claim preference and submit the necessary documentation (e.g., DD-214, SF-15) as required.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the salary range for this position? A: The annual salary ranges from $250,000 to $400,000.
Q: When is the application deadline? A: The announcement closes on December 2, 2026. However, applications are reviewed weekly after September 22, 2026, and the position may be filled sooner.
Q: Is a medical license required? A: Yes, a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery is mandatory.
Q: What does 'Health Informatics' mean in this context? A: It involves using information science and technology to improve healthcare delivery, manage health data, optimize clinical processes, and support informed decision-making for both providers and patients within the VA system.
Q: Are there opportunities for professional development or research? A: Yes, the affiliation with the University of Iowa and the presence of research departments like CADRE provide significant opportunities for professional growth, research, and collaboration.

This Physician - Health Informatics position at the Iowa City VA Health Care System represents a significant opportunity to influence the future of healthcare for Veterans. By integrating your medical expertise with informatics leadership, you will play a vital role in enhancing patient outcomes and operational efficiency. The VA is committed to providing a supportive and dynamic work environment, competitive compensation, and excellent benefits. If you are ready to make a meaningful contribution to the health and well-being of Veterans, we encourage you to apply.

Why This Physician - Health Informatics Job Matters

Shape the future of veteran healthcare through cutting-edge health informatics. Join a leading VA facility and make a tangible impact on patient care.

Physician - Health Informatics Job Overview

The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) is actively seeking a dedicated and innovative Physician specializing in Health Informatics. This full-time position, based in Iowa City, Iowa, is crucial for enhancing patient care delivery and systems management through the strategic use of health information. As part of the Chief of Staff Service Line, you will play a pivotal role in advancing the VHA's Whole Health System of care, empowering Veterans to actively manage their health and well-being. This announcement is open continuously through December 2, 2026, with initial referral cut-offs to ensure timely review of applications.

Requirements for Physician - Health Informatics

Must be a U.S. Citizen; non-citizens may be considered if qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited.
Possess a degree of Doctor of Medicine or equivalent from an accredited allopathic or osteopathic medical school.
Hold a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
Completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program, leading to board certification.
Proficiency in both spoken and written English.

Preferred Qualifications for Physician - Health Informatics

Experience with Oracle Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems or EHR implementation projects.
Strong competencies in health informatics, including EHR modernization, workflow optimization, clinical process improvement, analytics, data literacy, quality metrics, performance improvement methodologies, and enterprise system support.
Possession of an informatics certification, or willingness to obtain one within one year of hire.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive annual salary with performance bonuses and regular increases.
✓Generous paid time off: 26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays annually, plus potential 5 paid days for CME.
✓Traditional federal pension with 5-year vesting.
✓Federal 401K with up to 5% company contribution.
✓Comprehensive federal insurance programs (health, vision, dental, term life, long-term care) that can often extend into retirement.
✓Reimbursement of up to $1,000 per year for Continuing Medical Education (CME).
✓Malpractice liability protection with tail coverage provided.
✓No physician employment contract with significant restrictions on moonlighting.
✓Opportunities for professional growth and collaboration through academic affiliations.

💡 How to Apply Physician - Health Informatics Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Physician - Health Informatics Job

Create or log in to your USAJOBS account.
Select your USAJOBS resume and any other required supporting documents.
Complete the occupational questionnaire thoroughly.
Submit your complete application package by the deadline.

💡 General Tips

Ensure your resume is detailed and accurately reflects your experience, including volunteer work and relevant skills.
Pay close attention to the occupational questionnaire; answer all questions carefully as they are used for qualification assessment.
Verify all uploaded documents are legible and complete.
If you encounter issues applying online, use the provided link for alternative application methods and clearly state the announcement number.
Consider opting into the resume sharing feature to make your profile visible to hiring managers for similar future positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary range for this position?

The annual salary range for this Physician - Health Informatics position is $250,000 to $400,000.

What is the application closing date?

The application closing date is December 2, 2026. However, applications may be reviewed on a weekly basis after the first cut-off date of September 22, 2026, and the announcement may close early if the position is filled.

Am I required to have a medical license?

Yes, a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia is required.

What is the role of health informatics at the VA?

Health informatics at the VA focuses on improving healthcare delivery and outcomes by effectively using information and knowledge. This involves optimizing patient care processes, managing clinical information systems, and supporting healthcare professionals and patients with their information needs.

Are there opportunities for professional development?

Yes, the Iowa City VA Health Care System has strong academic affiliations, offering unparalleled opportunities for research, collaboration, and professional growth. Additionally, there is a potential $1,000 annual reimbursement for CME.

Physician - Health Informatics Job

Veterans Health Administration