Service Line Chief - Primary Care

Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. We are seeking a Service Line Chief - Primary Care to join our team in Poplar Bluff, MO. At the VA, your work will carry purpose as you provide care to Veterans while enjoying strong federal benefits and stability. Poplar Bluff, the "Gateway to the Ozarks," combines affordability with abundant outdoor recreation.

Duties

In Poplar Bluff, Missouri, you'll find more than just a career - you'll discover a community that feels like home. Known as the "Gateway to the Ozarks," Poplar Bluff offers a blend of small-town charm and natural beauty, with rivers, lakes, and trails right at your doorstep. Affordable living, friendly neighbors, and easy access to outdoor recreation make this an ideal place to build both your career and your life. At VA, you'll do more than practice medicine - you'll serve those who served our country. Caring for Veterans means being part of something bigger, with the chance to shape lives through meaningful, patient-centered care while working alongside colleagues who share your dedication. To support your move, recruitment/relocation incentives may be authorized for qualified candidates. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Pay: Competitive salary with annual performance bonus and regular increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days each 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) plus Federal 401K with up to 5% VA contribution Insurance: Health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care (many programs can carry into retirement) Licensure: 1 unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory CME: Up to $1,000 annually (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant moonlighting restrictions Position(s) listed under this Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) MAY be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer. The selectee must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. 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 review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. Position Overview The Primary Care Service is seeking a dedicated and experienced leader to join our team as the Primary Care Service Chief. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a commitment to patient-centered care, and a deep understanding of healthcare operations and goals. The Primary Care Service Chief will lead a multidisciplinary team, drive clinical excellence, and foster an environment of continuous improvement and collaboration.The Service Chief provides administrative, programmatic, and clinical leadership for Primary Care under the direction of the Chief of Staff to ensure achievement of clinical goals. The specific locations assigned to this position and the specific staff will be identified by the Chief of Staff. The incumbent reports to the COS and serves as a key clinical resource for the Executive Leadership Team. Responsibilities include hands-on clinical work, oversight, and administration of all aspects of Primary Care. The Chief is directly accountable to the COS for day-to-day administrative activities of the service, and accountable for clinical program activities and overall compliance with VISN-wide policies and procedures. Requirements Board certification in Internal Medicine or Family Medicine (required) Advanced clinical experience in Primary Care with demonstrated administrative and leadership skills Knowledge of VA system and regulations Experience with patient care management, systems, and processes Computer proficiency with multiple software platforms Experience in resource management and continuous quality improvement Strong administrative and interpersonal skills Excellent oral and written communication skills Ability to collaborate effectively with key stakeholders Data collection and analysis expertise Preferred Experience: Minimum of 5 years VA experience, preferably in Primary Care At least 3 years of supervisory/management experience Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications and evaluation

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Education

Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are: Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted. Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for the year in which the degree was granted. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, confirmation must be made that the medical school meets (or met) Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) eligibility requirement for year graduated. NOTE: The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.

How to apply

To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. To apply for this position online, complete steps 1 and 2 above by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/29/2027 to receive consideration. Please note, this announcement may close prior to the closing date indicated if the position is filled through other means. If you are unable to apply online before the closing date click here and include the CBSS-13109713-27-TS in the Notes field. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a C.V. and/or resume. Other documents may be requested later in the process if needed.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.