The New Mexico VA Health Care System is recruiting a Physician Chief for its Section of Hematology/Oncology, a leadership role with significant academic, research, and clinical trials responsibilities in partnership with UNM and the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center. The position includes a signing bonus, loan repayment up to $200,000, a standard federal benefits package, and a Monday–Friday daytime schedule.
$490,000 SalaryDr market context available for comparison
$200,000 loan repayment support
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. CST
11 weeks PTO or vacation disclosed
Academic affiliate (VA + UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center) · VA Medical Center · Not specified; both inpatient and outpatient implied by hematology/oncology scope
AI-structured from the official posting·View original
Posted pay vs real comps
$480k/$490k$600k
Physician-reported range Reported median
Physician-reported range shown; the employer did not post pay for this role.
Compensation
Type
SalaryDr Market Context
Market context
$480,000 – $600,000
Structure
salary
Signing bonus
$0
Loan repayment
$200,000
PTO
11 weeks
$480k/$490k$600k
Physician-reported range Reported median
This is SalaryDr Market Context computed from 37 verified physician submissions (region cohort). It is not the employer's posted pay. The employer did not disclose pay.
Academic affiliate (VA + UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center)
Facility type
VA Medical Center
Patient population
Veteran population; multi-ethnic populations of New Mexico
Community snapshot
Peer median
$495k
121 reports · national
Active supply
1
1 in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Transparent pay
0/1
state roles with reviewed pay
Work-life
4.0/5
9 physician reports
Cost of living
90
below U.S. avg (100) · BEA Regional Price Parities
Schools
-1.5
grade levels vs U.S. avg · NAEP 2024
121 SalaryDr Hematology/Oncology reports in national show a $495,000 median.
1 active Hematology/Oncology roles in New Mexico, including 1 in Albuquerque, New Mexico; 0 include reviewed transparent pay.
Physicians in this comparison cohort report 3.9/5 average job satisfaction.
80% of physicians with recommendation data would choose their job again.
Questions to ask the employer
How is the $200,000 loan repayment structured — forgiven over time, contingent on service years, or paid up front?
What is the call schedule, and is call compensated separately or built into the base?
Generated from this posting's disclosed facts and the SalaryDr comparison — bring them to the first recruiter call.
Work Design
Schedule
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. CST
Shift type
Days
Inpatient / outpatient
Not specified; both inpatient and outpatient implied by hematology/oncology scope
Coverage model
Section chief leading 3 additional physician faculty, APPs, and specialized clinical nurses
Admin burden
High — medical leadership role responsible for clinical, educational, and research missions; supervises section physicians and APPs; reports to Chief, Medicine Service
The New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS) is seeking applications for the position of Chief, Section of Hematology/Oncology at the NMVAHCS. The NMVAHCS Hematology/Oncology program is the major academic affiliate of the UNM Division of Hematology/Oncology and the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Authorized Learn more. EDRP Authorized: 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. 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 The NMVAHCS Chief, Section of Hematology/Oncology will be appointed as a member of the UNM Division of Hematology/Oncology and will have the opportunity for significant interactions with Division faculty and to become engaged in research, clinical, and clinical trials programs with the UNM Cancer Center. The Chief, Section of Hematology/Oncology will also have a major teaching role in the Division in a joint NMVAHSC and UNM Hematology/Oncology Fellowship training program. The NMVAHCS and UNMCCC are focused on discovery the causes and the cures for cancer, focused on those cancers which disproportionately affect the multi-ethic populations of New Mexico. The NMVAHCS Section of Hematology/Oncology consists of 3 additional physician faculty members, advanced practice practitioners, and specialized clinical nurses. The Chief, Section of Hematology/Oncology provides the medical leadership for this group and supervises their activity. The Chief, Section of Hematology/Oncology must qualify for an academic appointment in the Tenured or Clinician-Educator Track in the Professorial series in the Department of Internal Medicine at UNM and report directly to the Chief, Medicine Service at the NMVAHCS. This individual will be responsible for setting and implementing the vision for the clinical, educational and research missions of NMVAHCS in the area of Hematology/Oncology. Qualified applicants will have an MD, current medical license, and be board-certified in Hematology and Oncology. The ideal candidate will be suitable for academic appointment at UNM at the level of assistant, associate or full professor, as evidenced by a strong track record of academic and/or clinical excellence. Applicants must also be eligible for appointment at the VA. The VA's basic qualification standards may be found at http://www.vacareers.va.gov/application-process/navigating/before-you-apply.asp. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., CST
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 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 "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Complete all documentation timely and according to accepted medical standards. Qualified candidates must meet eligibility requirements for a faculty appointment in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of New Mexico based upon qualifications and experience.
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.
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