Physician-Chief of Geriatrics & Extended Care

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 26 - 2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications and subsequent cut-off dates are on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

About the Role

Serves as the facility's senior executive authority on all geriatrics and extended care clinical and administrative matters. Provides strategic vision and day-to-day leadership across the full GEC service line, ensuring alignment with VA Central Office directives, VISN 7 priorities, and local medical center goals. Reports to medical center senior leadership and serves as a key member of the executive leadership team, representing GEC interests in facility-wide planning and resource allocation.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct oversight of the Community Living Center (CLC), including skilled nursing, restorative care, and long-term care services, ensuring regulatory compliance and person-centered care delivery.
• Leads the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) program, overseeing interdisciplinary team operations to deliver comprehensive primary care to high-risk Veterans in their homes.
• Collaborates closely with Palliative Care & Hospice leadership to ensure seamless, compassionate end-of-life services across inpatient and community settings.
• Partners with program leads for Adult Day Health Care (ADHC), Home/Homemaker Health Aide (H/HHA), Veteran-Directed Care, Purchased Skilled Home Care (PSHC), In-Home Respite (IHR), and Community Nursing Home (CNH) programs.
• Coordinates care transitions and continuity across all GEC programs to reduce avoidable hospitalizations and improve Veteran outcomes.
• Champions a culture of safety and continuous quality improvement across all GEC programs.
• Oversees performance on key national GEC metrics including fall prevention, pain management, pressure injury prevention, restraint reduction, and MDS/OASIS accuracy.
• Ensures all programs meet or exceed SOCE, Joint Commission, and VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) standards.
• Reviews and acts on adverse events, close calls, and patient safety reports in a timely manner.
• Recruits, develops, and retains a high-performing, multidisciplinary GEC workforce, fostering an inclusive, psychologically safe work environment that supports staff engagement, professional growth, and well-being.
• Conducts or oversees performance evaluations, competency assessments, and progressive disciplinary actions in accordance with VA HR policy.
• Serves as a mentor and resource for GEC clinical staff, trainees, and affiliated academic partners.
• Leads expansion and innovation efforts across GEC services to meet the evolving needs of Augusta's aging Veteran population.
• Identifies gaps in care, evaluates community resources, and develops new programs or partnerships to address unmet needs.
• Collaborates with Community Care, VISN 7 GEC leadership, and VA Central Office on initiatives such as MISSION Act-related community care integration.
• Represents VA Augusta GEC at local, VISN, and national conferences, workgroups, and committees.
• Data Stewardship & Information Security: Ensures all GEC staff handle sensitive Veteran health information in full compliance with VA privacy, HIPAA, and information security policies. Utilizes VA data systems (CPRS, VSSC, CDW, etc.) to monitor program performance, track outcomes, and support data-driven decision-making.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation and reporting for all GEC programs.
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Work schedule subject to change based on agency needs.

  Qualifications

  • Must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement.
  • 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.
  • Must have completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification.
  • Must have a 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.
  • Must have five (5) or more years of working in Geriatrics & Extended Care.
  • Must have knowledge of Nursing Home Contracts.

  Skills

  • Proficiency in spoken and written English.
  • Leadership skills.
  • Strategic thinking.
  • Quality and safety management.
  • Program development and innovation.
  • Data stewardship and information security.

  Benefits

  Veterans Health Administration (VHA) offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including:

  • Competitive salary and annual performance bonus.
  • Regular salary increases.
  • Paid time off (50-55 days per year).
  • Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care benefits.
  • Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
  • Insurance benefits.
  • Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).
  • Free liability protection with tail coverage provided.
  • No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

  Pay

  Competitive salary - annual performance bonus - regular salary increases.

  Schedule

  Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Work schedule subject to change based on agency needs.