Chief of Medicine Service

The VA San Diego Healthcare System is seeking an experienced physician to serve as our Chief of Medicine. This position will report directly to the Chief of Staff (COS).

The Chief of Medicine will be responsible for oversight, direction, and joint program development with the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine. This position requires an academic appointment with our academic affiliate, the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.

The Chief of Medicine is responsible for oversight of all physician staff, providers, and administrative staff in Medicine Service.  In particular, the Chief of Medicine is responsible for the full array of clinical operations and administrative functions of inpatient General and Internal Medicine, along with the subspecialties of Allergy, Cardiology, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Geriatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Hospital Medicine, Infectious Disease, Nephrology, Palliative Care, Pulmonary, Rheumatology, and Sleep Medicine.

This position offers a unique blend of administrative responsibilities and the chance to engage in teaching and research, with 10-45% of the role dedicated to clinical work. You will lead performance improvement initiatives, ensuring alignment with VASDHS and Medicine Service goals while supervising Section Chiefs and administrative staff. Collaboration with hospital leadership on strategic initiatives is essential, as is serving as the primary liaison with UCSD School of Medicine to foster interdepartmental partnerships.

In addition to overseeing fiscal management and personnel administration, you will promote research and education opportunities for academic physicians, managing VA-approved research activities. Regular staff meetings will keep your team informed about policies and goals, while you develop position descriptions and performance standards. Your role will also involve addressing grievances and managing disciplinary actions, making a significant impact on healthcare and education.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8am - 4:30pm excluding Federal Government holidays. This position is not eligible for telework or hybrid work.

Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship.
• Unrestricted U.S. Medical License.
• Successful completion of an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) accredited fellowship in their specialty.
• Board Certification within their specialty.   
• 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Record of academic accomplishments commensurate with the rank of associate or full professor (required for academic appointment of this position).

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior VA Experience
• 5 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in administering programs, clinical operations, teaching, and research.

We offer:

• $315,000 - $400,000 compensation package based on training, specialty, experience, and local labor market.
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentive is authorized for a highly qualified applicant.
• Guaranteed salary increases.
• CME: $1,000/year.
• Malpractice: VHA physicians are covered under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
• No employment contracts, noncompete clauses, or restrictive covenants.
• 26 days paid vacation; 13 days paid sick time; 11 paid federal holidays.
• Federal Retirement Pension and separate 401K with 5% agency match.
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.

To explore this opportunity further, please forward copy of your Curriculum Vitae to Jacob (Jay) Colón

The VA San Diego Healthcare System is one of the leading health care systems serving Veterans in the VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network. We’re an innovative care center within the Veterans Integrated Service Network 22 (VISN 22). VISN 22 includes medical centers and clinics in Arizona, California, Colorado, and New Mexico.  

The VA San Diego Healthcare System serves the health care needs of about 116,553 Veterans in San Diego County and Imperial Valley County in California. Our health services are available to more than 231,083 Veterans who live in the area.  

We provide our patients with health care services at various locations in and around San Diego. Facilities include our Jennifer Moreno VA Medical Center and community-based outpatient clinics in Chula Vista, Escondido, El Centro, Kearny Mesa, Oceanside, and Sorrento Valley. We also operate a domiciliary facility that provides state-of-the-art residential care to Veterans who need extended care and rehabilitation for recovery, health maintenance, improved quality of life, and a smooth transition back into their communities.

At the VA San Diego Healthcare System, we conduct research to discover knowledge, develop VA scientists and health care leaders, and create innovations that advance health care for Veterans and the nation. We offer Veterans the opportunity to participate in and benefit from our work. Our goal is to use research to promote better health and health care for all. 

Our research and development service is one of the largest research programs in the Department of Veterans Affairs. In FY2022, we received over $44.2 million in research funding and had more than 200 principal investigators working on over 650 active projects.  

Several?of our investigators?have received the William S. Middleton Award–the highest national VA research award–for their contributions to the study of kidney function, HIV/AIDS, alcohol/drug addiction, and memory. 

The Jennifer Moreno VA Medical Center is a teaching hospital that provides a full range of health services for Veterans, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and research.  

Our medical center is primarily affiliated with the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. We also have a partnership with San Diego University through the VA Nursing Academy, which provides funding to help VA health care facilities nationwide expand and strengthen their nursing programs.

Every year, we provide training for 1,271 medical interns, residents and fellows, as well as 331 other clinical trainees, in areas such as nursing, pharmacy, dental and dietetics.

We’re proud of our partnerships with top institutions and organizations that support the educational mission of the VA.