Physician - Gastroenterology Section Chief

About the Role

The Gastroenterology Section Chief is a management position that supports the VA’s mission through administrative leadership, direct patient care, and oversight of the section’s educational and research activities. The supervisory physician must qualify for and receive a Joint Faculty appointment at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) and Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). This position is located within Specialty Care at the Salem VA Medical Center in Salem, Virginia.

Responsibilities

• Complete VA Supervisor Training within the first three months of employment.
• Qualify for and receive a Joint Faculty appointment at VTCSOM and VCOM.
• Provide compassionate, appropriate, and effective patient care, including health promotion, illness prevention, disease treatment, and end‑of‑life care.
• Demonstrate up‑to‑date medical/clinical knowledge, clinical judgment, and the ability to use scientific evidence to improve patient care.
• Exhibit strong interpersonal and communication skills to maintain professional relationships with patients, families, and the health‑care team.
• Organize staff meetings, communicate both downward to staff and upward to leadership, and prepare data‑driven reports for performance improvement.
• Manage clinical operations: open encounter and consult management, CPRS documentation, clinic scheduling and access, staff productivity, and relevant performance measures.
• Serve as liaison to the Associate Chief of Staff for Education and the Program Director for UME/GME; ensure orientation for GI fellows, residents, and students, and supervise educational activities.
• Serve as liaison to the Associate Chief of Staff for Research; address research issues concerning the section.
• May include some on‑call coverage as needed.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (non‑citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy).
• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree from a VA‑approved school.
• Current, full, unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program leading to eligibility for board certification.
• Board certification (additional requirement).
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Applicants pending completion of training or license requirements may be tentatively selected but cannot be hired until all requirements are met.
• Exceptions may be granted for residents appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs) or in rare circumstances approved by the Facility Director and VISN leadership.

Preferred Experience

• Completion of a Gastroenterology fellowship.
• At least three years of site program director experience.
• Five years of GI section chief or supervisory experience (preferred).

Pay

Competitive salary with an annual performance bonus and regular salary increases.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 50–55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 Federal holidays, and a possible 5‑day paid CME absence).
• Retirement: Federal pension (5‑year vesting) and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contributions.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care; many plans can be carried into retirement.
• CME reimbursement up to $1,000 per year (full‑time with board certification).
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 7:45 am – 4:30 pm, with possible on‑call coverage.