Physician - Community Living Center at West Texas VA Health Care System, Big Spring, TX

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through the West Texas VA Health Care System (WTVAHCS), is actively seeking a dedicated and skilled Physician to serve within its Community Living Center (CLC) in Big Spring, Texas. This full-time opportunity offers a chance to provide comprehensive medical care to Veterans in a long-term care setting, ensuring they receive the highest standard of support and treatment. With a competitive salary, robust benefits package, and the potential for recruitment incentives, this role presents a significant opportunity for physicians passionate about geriatric care and committed to honoring those who have served.

About the Agency: West Texas VA Health Care System

The West Texas VA Health Care System is committed to fulfilling President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in our nation's military. Located in Big Spring, Texas, the WTVAHCS provides a wide array of inpatient and outpatient care services, utilizing state-of-the-art technology and fostering numerous educational programs. The system serves approximately 57,000 Veterans across West Texas and parts of New Mexico. Big Spring, known as "The Crossroads of West Texas," boasts a growing economy, a revitalized downtown area, and offers a central location within driving distance to other Texas cities like Midland, Odessa, San Angelo, Abilene, and Lubbock. Joining the WTVAHCS means becoming part of a team dedicated to providing compassionate, whole-health care to Veterans.

Job Responsibilities

As a Physician in the Community Living Center, you will be instrumental in delivering direct patient care and managing the medical needs of residents. Your core responsibilities will include:

• Clinical Assessments: Conducting thorough history and physical examinations for admitted residents and performing periodic assessments as required.
• Medical Rounds and Clinic Visits: Conducting regular medical rounds and clinic assessments in accordance with regulatory guidelines and facility timelines.
• Diagnosis and Management: Accurately diagnosing and managing both acute and chronic medical conditions affecting the CLC residents.
• Diagnostic Interpretation: Ordering and interpreting various diagnostic studies, including laboratory tests, imaging, and other relevant tests.
• Medication Management: Prescribing, adjusting, and discontinuing medications within the scope of practice, formulary, and regulatory requirements.
• Urgent Care Response: Responding promptly to changes in resident conditions, providing evaluations (telephonic or in-person), and directing appropriate management strategies.
• Medical Record Documentation: Meticulously documenting all clinical encounters, assessments, and decision-making processes in the electronic medical record in a timely manner.
• Level of Care Certifications: Completing required certifications and recertifications for resident levels of care.
• Patient and Family Communication: Engaging in clear and compassionate communication with residents, and when authorized, with their family members or designated decision-makers regarding diagnoses, treatment plans, and prognoses.
• Advance Care Planning: Actively participating in advance care planning discussions, respecting residents' wishes regarding goals of care and end-of-life preferences.
• Palliative and End-of-Life Care Orders: Providing necessary orders for palliative and end-of-life care in alignment with resident wishes and facility policies.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Working collaboratively with physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nursing leadership, consulting specialists, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to coordinate patient care and manage shared patients.
• Resource Management: Contributing to facility budget discussions for medical services and participating in decisions regarding facility-wide resource allocation impacting medical care.

Requirements

To be considered for this vital role, applicants must meet the following basic requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship: Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Non-citizens may only be appointed if qualified citizens are unavailable.
• Medical Degree: A degree of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or an equivalent degree from an accredited institution in allopathic or osteopathic medicine is required. The institution must have been accredited at the time of course completion.
• Medical License: A current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery is mandatory, issued by a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
• Residency Training: Completion of residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to board certification eligibility is essential. This includes residencies approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
• English Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency in both spoken and written English is required.
• Screening: Applicants may be subject to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Refusal to test will result in denial of employment. All employees are expected to participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Identification: Acceptable forms of identification are required for pre-employment verification (e.g., REAL ID compliant driver's license or state-issued ID effective May 7, 2025).

Preferred Experience

While not strictly required, candidates with the following experience will be strongly preferred:

• At least 3 years of experience in a Community Living Center, skilled nursing facility, or other long-term care setting.
• Substantial experience managing geriatric patients with complex, chronic conditions.
• Proficiency in end-of-life care, palliative care, and advance care planning.
• Experience working effectively within an interdisciplinary care team environment.
• Familiarity with VA clinical systems and processes for level-of-care certification.
• Experience with Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) methodologies, root cause analysis, or case reviews.

Salary Overview

This position offers a competitive annual salary ranging from $215,000 to $280,000. The specific salary determination will be based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and the established pay-setting process. In addition to the base salary, the position may offer annual performance bonuses and regular salary increases.

Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of its physicians. Key benefits include:

• Paid Time Off: An generous allotment of 50-55 days of paid time off per year, comprising 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays. An additional 5 paid days may be available for CME.
• Retirement: A traditional federal pension with a 5-year vesting period, coupled with a federal 401K plan that includes a VA contribution of up to 5%.
• Insurance: Access to federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance programs, many of which can be continued after retirement.
• Continuing Medical Education (CME): A potential reimbursement of $1,000 per year for CME expenses for full-time physicians who are board-certified.
• Malpractice Protection: Free liability protection, including tail coverage, is provided.
• Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates to help offset the costs of relocation or to encourage acceptance of the position.
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): This position is eligible for the EDRP, a valuable program offering student loan payment reimbursement of up to $200,000 over a period of one to five years. Eligibility and award amounts are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after application review. Former EDRP participants are generally ineligible to reapply.

Application Tips

To maximize your chances of success in this application process, consider the following tips:

• Read Carefully: Thoroughly review the entire job announcement, paying close attention to all qualification standards, required documents, and instructions.
• Tailor Your Resume/CV: Customize your resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) to specifically highlight your experience in geriatric care, long-term settings (like CLCs), and any experience with complex chronic conditions. Use keywords from the job description.
• Complete the Questionnaire: Answer the occupational questionnaire with accuracy and detail. Ensure your responses reflect the experience and qualifications outlined in your resume.
• Submit Early: Avoid waiting until the last minute to apply. Technical issues can arise, and submitting early ensures your application is received before the deadline.
• Document Submission: Ensure all requested documents, including your CV/resume, are uploaded correctly. If you have difficulty applying online, reach out to the designated agency contact for assistance.
• Veteran Preference: If you are a Veteran eligible for preference, ensure you claim it and submit all required documentation (e.g., DD214, SF-15) to receive due consideration.

This Physician position at the West Texas VA Health Care System represents an outstanding opportunity to dedicate your medical expertise to the well-being of Veterans in a supportive and professional environment. The CLC setting allows for focused, patient-centered care, while the comprehensive benefits and incentive programs underscore the VA's commitment to its healthcare professionals. If you are a qualified physician looking to serve those who have served, we strongly encourage you to apply for this rewarding career path.