Physician - Hospice & Palliative Care (HPC) Medical ...

Summary 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. Responsibilities This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCMENT and will remain open until May 11th, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be March 19th, 2026 with subsequent cut-off dates every 2 weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) 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 Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Northern California Healthcare System (NCHCS): The Northern California Healthcare System serves veteran patients across Northern to Central California at 13 care facilities and 10 community-based outpatient clinics. The Hospice and Palliative Care Section within this system provides comprehensive Palliative Care Consultations within the Sacramento VA Medical Center Acute Care Hospital and through outpatient clinics housed within the Sacramento VA Outpatient Clinic, the Martinez VA Outpatient Clinic, and the Stockton VA Outpatient Clinic. The Hospice and Palliative Care Section also services a 16-bed inpatient hospice unit at the Martinez Community Living Center. Duties for this position may include but are not limited to: The Hospice & Palliative care (HPC) medical director works under and reports to the ACOS for Geriatrics & Extended Care (GEC). Serves as a member of the Geriatrics & Extended Care Medical Staff and of the GEC Oversight Committee, attending assigned meetings, helping to assure adherence to its bylaws, rules, and regulations. Participates in establishing and maintaining policies, procedures and guidelines designed to assure provision of adequate, comprehensive, and timely services to Hospice & Palliative care programs throughout the NCHCS. Monitors and evaluates the quality of medical services as an integral part of the overall quality assessments and improvement program and assuring compliance with JC and Long-Term Care Institute (LTCI) requirements, as they pertain to Hospice and Palliative care. Provides clinical and administrative oversight to ensure the adequacy and appropriateness of the medical care provided to patients in HPC programs throughout the NCHCS. Works collaboratively with the HPC Program Coordinator to formulate program-specific report cards and performance measures and to assist in the analyses and completion of action plans specific to palliative care programs. Works with the HPC Program Coordinator to liaise with VISN and National HPC leadership. In conjunction with the HPC Program Coordinator, chairs the Hospice and Palliative Care Subcommittee. Oversees and directly supervises an interdisciplinary team of staff, including but not limited to physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and administrative support assistants. Works to timely address and complete appropriate suspense, patient advocacy concerns, White House and Congressional inquiries, and OIG requests. Conducts focused and ongoing peer evaluations for staff, participates in Peer Review inquiries, and completes staff performance evaluations. Coordinates clinical coverage and call responsibilities for HPC programs. Mentors and provides orientation to new employees joining the Palliative Care Section. Serves as HPC consultant as necessary to the providers throughout GEC programs. Participates in educational didactics both formally and informally for HPC fellows and other trainees. Provides comprehensive palliative care consultations and/or hospice services through the role of HPC Attending physician. Other duties and roles as required. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 (Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical 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

Created: 2026-03-16