VA Primary Care Opportunity in Monterey, California!

The VA Palo Alto Healthcare System (VAPAHCS) is part of VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21), which includes facilities in California, Nevada and Hawaii. VAPAHCS is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and research, Comprehensive health care is provided through primary, tertiary and long-term care in areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics and extended care. The Research and Development Service excels as a leader in the Department of Veterans Affairs. The non-profit corporation, the Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research (PAVIR), has contributed to making VAPAHCS a leader in research.

The opportunity exists to serve as a Primary Care Physician for Monterey CBOC VA Primary Care Clinic. Work with a dynamic, collaborative, and engaged local team to manage high quality & efficient health care on site!

The major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Evaluation, including performance of H&P (history and physical); diagnosis; consultation; and treatment of adult patients with medical illnesses performed in the clinic environment
• Assessment and care of new and returning patients with any number of medical problems (e.g. hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, Chronic Pain, COPD)
• Manage a patient panel of 1,000-1,100 patients
• Responsible for ordering diagnostics, consultations, medications and other therapies as medically indicated, meeting preventative health maintenance needs, completing all required VA computer documentation including clinical reminders and screenings in a timely manner
• Perform diagnostic or therapeutic joint aspiration/ injection, soft tissue injection, routine women's health (pelvic exam, breast exam, cytologic pap smear testing, cervical HPV testing), laceration repair, foreign body removal, abscess incision and drainage, diagnostic paracentesis, and wound debridement

Requirements include:

• Completion of a U.S. based residency program and subsequent Board Eligibility and/or Board Certification in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine
• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• This is not a remote or telehealth vacancy. You must live in commuting distance. A compressed schedule is approved.

Compensation details:

• Salary of $240K-$243K annually
• Performance Pay up to $15,000 (These are based on measurable goals)
• This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Please reply with your CV to learn more!

The Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System is a large and complex facility with inpatient, outpatient, residential and homeless services. Located in Palo Alto, CA, the heart of Silicon Valley, with beautiful weather, great food, a large multicultural population and a multitude of outdoor activities. Palo Alto is 30 miles from San Francisco, the beach and the mountains.

Paid Time Off:

• 26 Days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave
• 13 Days paid sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation
• 11 Federal holidays with pay annually
• 5 Days paid absence to attend approved CME courses

Insurance:

• Health Insurance: VA employees have an outstanding number of health insurance plans from which to choose (premiums are partially paid by VA) Lifetime Healthcare Insurance options available
• Dental & Vision: Our insurance options also include exceptional vision and dental plans (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• VA employees have the option to use Flexible Spending Accounts, which allow you to use tax-free dollars to pay for medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance plan
• Term life insurance, family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government
• Long-term care insurance is available as an option

Federal Retirement Plan:

• VA employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits, 2) FERS-RAE basic benefits (pension), and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan
• How is the pension funded? VA employees automatically contribute 4.4% of their salary each pay period and the VA contributes 12.2% of the employee’s salary each pay period for a total annual contribution percentage equal to 16.6% of the employee’s salary
• Similar to the 401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector, the TSP allows employees to tax defer a portion of their income each year, subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. For calendar year 2020, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $19,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $25,500.
• The Federal Government also provides an automatic basic contribution (1% of salary) and up to 4% of salary in matching contributions, depending on the amount of the employee contribution
• For retired military personnel, these benefits are in addition to full monthly retirement pay or pension
• In addition to FERS, VA provides health care insurance coverage for retired personnel
• Disability Retirement
• Employees are vested in a federal pension after only 5 years service