Physician (Chief of Diagnostic Imaging)

Summary

The VA Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS) seeks a Chief of the Imaging Health Care Group (HCG) to lead Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Oncology services.

About the Role

This role is ideal for a physician with a passion for clinical excellence and organizational leadership. The Chief will shape the strategic direction of a high-volume, subspecialty-rich department while directly advancing the health and well-being of the Veterans our system serves.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct patient care in their specialty area approximately 20-30% of the time.
• Approves, designs, and performs image-guided diagnostic or therapeutic treatment plans.
• Participates in multidisciplinary tumor boards.
• Ensures accuracy, completeness, and compliance of all departmental clinical documentation and reporting standards.
• Carries out duties in a timely, resourceful, and efficient manner while demonstrating strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Serves as a key leader across the VALBHS enterprise and engages in strategic, operational, and tactical planning at both the facility and department levels.
• Supervises department personnel, evaluates prospective new hires, and oversees compliance with all applicable regulations and VA policies.
• Addresses patient concerns, credentialing, and peer review matters, and inquiries from Congress, the White House, VA Central Office, and national investigative bodies in coordination with facility leadership.
• Participates as a member and/or leader of Imaging and VALBHS-wide committees responsible for peer review, accreditation, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Fosters a culture of safety, mutual respect, and open communication in which all team members feel empowered to identify problems and contribute solutions without fear of retaliation.
• Champions a department-wide commitment to veteran-centered care, inspiring staff to uphold the highest standards of service to those who have served.

Requirements

• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• Completed residency training in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification.
• Board Certification in the specialty/subspecialty listed in the announcement.
• Supervisory experience and Radiology background preferred.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be referred and tentatively selected if it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Completed residency training in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification.
• Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Proven managerial skills in a complex healthcare institution.
• Experience in a high-volume, subspecialty-rich department.
• Ability to shape strategic direction and advance veteran-centered care.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual performance bonus.
• Regular salary increases.
• 50-55 days of paid time off per year.
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting).
• VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care.
• Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory.
• CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification).
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided.
• No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.