Physician - Primary Care (Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized)

Physician - Primary Care (Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized)

Sterling, IllinoisPosted 21d agoattending physician
~$280,000SalaryDr Signal· Limited coverage

Reported by 9 physicians · state cohort · total comp, not the employer's posted pay

Family MedicineMonday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm; alternative work hours negotiable at time of hire.

Overview

Location
Sterling, Illinois
Schedule
Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm; alternative work hours negotiable at time of hire.
SalaryDr Signal range
$255k – $300k

9 physician reports · not the employer's posted pay

Practice
VA Clinic in Sterling, Illinois within Iowa City VA Healthcare System · VA Clinic

Role summary

The position is for a full-time primary care physician at the VA Clinic in Sterling, Illinois, providing outpatient care to veteran patients with defined patient panels. Compensation includes competitive salary, annual bonuses, extensive paid time off, federal retirement benefits, malpractice coverage, and eligibility for a recruitment or relocation incentive and Education Debt Reduction Program.

What the posting highlights

  • Surrogate coverage for colleagues' patients during their leave
  • Care setting: Outpatient primary care clinic setting
  • Patient population: Veterans enrolled in primary care panels
  • APP collaboration or supervision is noted

SalaryDr summary based on the original posting

Posted base pay vs physician-reported total comp

Physician-reported total comp$255k–$300k · $280k median
$250kShared annual scale · base and total comp stay separate$305k

Physician-reported range shown; the employer did not post pay for this role.

Compensation

What physicians report
$255k – $300k
Pay context
SalaryDr Signal · physician-reported
Report sample
9 recent physician reports · state cohort
Compensation basis
Estimated total compensation
Bonus / incentives
Annual performance bonus
Loan repayment
$200,000
PTO
10 weeks

Benefits named in the posting

  • 50-55 days paid time off annually (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays, possible 5 days paid CME absence)
  • Traditional federal pension with 5 years vesting
  • Federal 401(k) plan with up to 5% VA contributions
  • Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance
  • Malpractice liability protection with tail coverage
  • Possible CME reimbursement up to $1,000 per year
  • No employment contract and no significant moonlighting restrictions
Physician-reported total comp$255k–$300k · $280k median
$250kShared annual scale · base and total comp stay separate$305k

This is a SalaryDr Signal computed from 9 recent, approved physician reports (state cohort). It is not an employer offer or posted pay; this employer did not disclose pay.

Next steps

Employer

Veterans Health Administration

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EHR
Not stated in posting
Source
Government source
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Facility & Community

Facility details
Practice setting
VA Clinic in Sterling, Illinois within Iowa City VA Healthcare System
Facility type
VA Clinic
Patient population
Veterans enrolled in primary care panels
EHR
Not stated in posting
Community snapshot
Peer median
Building sample
Active supply
Illinois
Physician
Transparent pay
Not measured
SalaryDr source status
Work-life
VA Clinic in Sterling, Illinois within Iowa City VA Healthcare System

SalaryDr will show local peer compensation and hiring supply here once this role has enough physician-reported data.

Questions to ask the employer

  • How is the productivity component calculated (wRVU rate, threshold, reconciliation cadence), and what did physicians here actually earn from it last year?
  • 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 through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm; alternative work hours negotiable at time of hire.
Shift type
Day shift
Inpatient / outpatient
Outpatient primary care clinic setting
Coverage model
Surrogate coverage for colleagues' patients during their leave
Admin burden
Completion of timely documentation and all administrative work per departmental policy
FTE
1
Supervises APPs
Yes

Visa & Eligibility

Remote
No
Visa sponsorship
no
J-1 waiver
No
H-1B
No

Source & Verification

Source
Government source
Salary label
SalaryDr Signal
First seen
2 wk ago
Last verified
today
Extraction confidence
95%

Full description

The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) is seeking a Full-Time, Physician to join the Primary Care Service Line at the VA Clinic in Sterling, Illinois. Note: This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT through December 2, 2026. The first referral cut-off is September 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST, followed by weekly cut offs. Applications received after each cut-off will be reviewed as needed until the position is filled. The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Duties of the Physician include, but are not limited to: Primary care physicians will be responsible for the delivery of primary care to patients enrolled in their panels at the Iowa City VA Healthcare System. The provider will manage scheduled and unscheduled patients in the outpatient clinic setting. Primary care providers in the outpatient setting are typically assigned a panel of patients to manage. Panel size is determined by utilizing VHA PCMM software. Panel size is determined at the National level, through a complex formula which extracts local information regarding acuity of assigned patients, available support staff, number of exam rooms, etc. Each provider's panel size is specific to their practice and setting. Alternative or collateral duties may include management of a subsection of primary care patients. The subsection may be defined either by a disease status (e.g. spinal cord injury patients), or demographic status (women veterans etc.). Typically, these duties are designated at the time of joining but occasionally during the course of employment, participation in special projects pertinent to the assigned section may be necessary. Physicians may be assigned duty as a supervising or collaborating physician for a mid-level provider. Physicians are expected to provide clinical oversight and review. Supervising or collaborating responsibilities and performance will be noted in the physician's performance evaluation. Physicians are expected to act as "surrogates" for the patients of their colleagues, when one or more of their colleagues are on leave. Timely documentation is necessary in all areas in accordance with departmental policy. All administrative work should be completed in a timely fashion. Quality of care will meet professional standards at all times. All physicians will work within their privileges at all times, unless otherwise necessitated by an emergency. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Inventive: Recruitment/ Relocation Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): 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. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of annual paid time offer 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 Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Work Schedule: Typical work hours are Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm. Alternative work hours, if desired, should be agreed upon at the time of hire. 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. 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.