Physician (GEM Medical Director) - Serve Veterans in Kerrville, Texas

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is dedicated to honoring America's Veterans by providing exceptional healthcare and a commitment to their well-being. The South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) is actively seeking a compassionate and experienced Physician to serve as a GEM Medical Director in Kerrville, Texas. This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to lead a dedicated team focused on geriatric and long-term care, ensuring the highest quality of service for the men and women who have bravely served our nation. With a competitive salary range of $240,000 to $300,000 per year, comprehensive federal benefits, and the potential for significant student loan repayment through the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), this position represents a rewarding career move for physicians passionate about geriatric medicine and public service.

About the Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the second largest department in the U.S. federal government, committed to President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan." The VA provides a wide range of healthcare services, benefits, and memorial programs to America's Veterans. The South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) is a vital part of this mission, serving a vast region encompassing 35 counties. Comprised of two inpatient campuses – the Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital in San Antonio and the Kerrville VA Hospital – STVHCS offers comprehensive primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services. It is also home to specialized centers including an Extended Care Therapy Center, a Spinal Cord Injury Center, a Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, and a Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC). Affiliated with UT Health San Antonio, STVHCS boasts a robust ambulatory care program with numerous outpatient clinics, supported by over 4,900 dedicated employees committed to providing whole health care to approximately 114,000 Veterans.

Job Responsibilities

As the GEM Medical Director at the Kerrville VA Medical Center, you will play a crucial role in the leadership and operational success of the Geriatric, Extended Care, and Medical Programs (GEM). Your responsibilities will encompass a broad spectrum of duties, ensuring the delivery of excellent patient care and the effective management of the program.

Key responsibilities include:

• Administrative Duties: Providing leadership, managing human resources and staff, overseeing time and leave, engaging in business planning and systems redesign, coordinating patient transfers and admissions, and ensuring GEM clinic safety and environmental standards.
• Supervisory Duties: Overseeing the daily operations of assigned sections, evaluating work performance, developing and implementing performance improvement plans, planning and scheduling work, approving leave, and collaborating with HR to resolve grievances.
• Clinical Duties: Maintaining privileges and practicing within your specialty, providing direct patient care, applying knowledge to patient management and education, and accurately documenting clinic encounters in the VA's Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS).
• Education, Research, and Development Duties: Acting as a liaison for educational initiatives, ensuring orientation for trainees, teaching and monitoring educational activities, and complying with supervision requirements. You will also liaise with research departments, identify research problems, support research planning and execution, and contribute to reports and publications.

This is a dynamic role that requires a blend of clinical expertise, strong leadership capabilities, and a commitment to advancing geriatric healthcare for our Veterans.

Requirements

To be considered for this Physician (GEM Medical Director) position, candidates must meet the following essential qualifications:

• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen. Non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited, per VA policy.
• Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in both spoken and written English.
• Education: Possess a degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree from an accredited institution in allopathic or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from a school accredited during the year of study completion (e.g., LCME for allopathic, COCA for osteopathic). Foreign graduates must have their degree confirmed to meet ECFMG eligibility requirements for their graduation year.
• Residency Training: Completion of an ACGME or AOA-approved residency training program is required. This program must lead to eligibility for board certification.
• License: Hold a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Board Certification: Must be board eligible and/or certified in Internal Medicine and/or Family Medicine.

Additional Requirements:

• All tentatively selected candidates will undergo a drug screening test.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• A background and security investigation will be conducted.
• Selected applicants must complete an online onboarding process and provide acceptable forms of identification.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is mandatory for all VA Healthcare Personnel (HCP).
• A probationary period may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

While not strictly required, candidates possessing the following qualifications will have a distinct advantage:

• Board eligibility and/or certification specifically in Geriatric Medicine.
• A minimum of two years of specialized experience working with the geriatric population and/or in Palliative Hospice Care.

Salary Overview

This position offers a highly competitive annual salary ranging from $240,000 to $300,000. The exact salary will be determined based on the applicant's qualifications, experience, and established VA pay-setting policies. In addition to the base salary, performance bonuses and regular salary increases are part of the compensation package.

Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a comprehensive total rewards package for physicians, designed to support your professional and personal well-being. These benefits include:

Benefit Category	Details
Paid Time Off	50-55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, potential for 5 paid CME days)
Retirement	Traditional federal pension (5-year vesting) and a federal 401K plan with up to 5% matching contributions from VA.
Insurance	Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance (many plans transferable into retirement).
Continuing Medical Education	Potential reimbursement of $1,000 per year (for full-time, board-certified physicians).
Professional Liability	Free liability protection with tail coverage provided by the VA.
Work-Life Balance	No physician employment contract and no significant restrictions on moonlighting.
Student Loan Repayment	Eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), potentially up to $200,000 in student loan repayment.

Application Tips

Navigating the federal job application process can be detailed, but following these tips can help ensure your application is strong:

1. Tailor Your Resume/CV: Emphasize experience directly related to geriatric medicine, long-term care, medical directorship, and any leadership or supervisory roles. Use keywords from the job announcement.
2. Include All Required Documents: Carefully review the 'Required Documents' section. For current/former federal employees, ensure you submit your SF-50. Foreign medical graduates should include their ECFMG certificate.
3. Address the Occupational Questionnaire Thoroughly: Answer all questions honestly and completely. Provide specific examples to support your claims where possible.
4. Leverage USAJOBS Tools: Utilize the USAJOBS resume builder or upload a well-formatted resume. Consider opting into making your resume available to other hiring managers for similar roles.
5. Proofread Everything: Before submitting, carefully check your entire application for any errors or omissions. A polished application reflects attention to detail.
6. Understand Veterans' Preference: If you are a Veteran, ensure you claim preference and submit all required documentation (DD-214, SF-15 if applicable) to receive full consideration.
7. Contact for Assistance: If you encounter issues with the online application system or need an alternate submission method, use the provided contact information and reference the specific Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) number.

This Physician (GEM Medical Director) position at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System in Kerrville, Texas, offers a compelling opportunity for a dedicated medical professional to significantly contribute to the health and well-being of America's Veterans. With a focus on geriatric and long-term care, the role provides extensive leadership responsibilities, a supportive work environment, and an attractive compensation and benefits package. If you are driven by a passion for serving Veterans and possess the required qualifications and leadership acumen, we encourage you to apply and become an integral part of the VA's mission.