Director of Primary Care

About the role

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Lead with purpose in a role that blends clinical impact, leadership, and the opportunity to shape Veteran care across southeast Missouri. The John J. Pershing VAMC is seeking a physician leader to serve as Director of Primary Care, overseeing provider operations, clinical quality, access initiatives, and primary care performance across the medical center and surrounding community-based outpatient clinics. This is an opportunity to influence care delivery at both the patient and system level while remaining actively engaged in clinical practice, offering a rare balance of meaningful leadership responsibility and hands-on patient care.

Responsibilities

• Oversee provider operations, clinical quality, access initiatives, and primary care performance across the medical center and surrounding community-based outpatient clinics.
• Supervise day-to-day operations of providers assigned.
• Serve as oversight and lead for all primary care performance metrics and requirements.
• Manage primary care policies, processes, and protocols.
• Participate in activities designated to meet TJC and other accredited agency requirements.
• Maintain clinical proficiency by practicing in the discipline at least 50% of the time.
• Serve as a key member of the clinical leadership team, reporting directly to the Service Chief - Primary Care.
• Act as the Physician Champion and User Role Assignment Coordinator (URAC) for EHRM (Cerner) rollout.

Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine, obtained from a VA‑approved school for the year of study.

Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

Residency training completed per VA‑approved pathways (ACGME/AOA accredited core specialty; or one year of post‑medical‑school training plus two years of independent practice; or non‑US residency plus three years of verified independent practice in the US). Exceptions for current residents (PRPs) and rare facility‑director approved waivers.

Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Additional Requirement: 3‑5 years of experience practicing in a primary care setting.

Candidates with previous leadership training and/or leadership experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

Pre‑employment physical required; includes lifting 15‑44 lbs, pushing (~2 hrs), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking/standing 3‑5 hrs, kneeling, rapid mental and muscular coordination, near vision correctable 13‑16” to Jaeger 1‑4, far vision correctable 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other, depth perception, color discrimination; hearing aid permitted.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) eligibility – award up to $200,000, eligibility period one to five years.
• Recruitment Incentive (sign‑on bonus) – eligible.
• Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP) – may be eligible for physician/provider contract buy out.
• Paid Time Off: 50‑55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, possible 5‑day paid absence for CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA matching.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many federal programs portable into retirement).
• Licensure: Requires one full and unrestricted license from any US state or territory