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. **This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until OCT 15 2026 . The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be JUL 29 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 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 Work Schedule: To be determined by your supervisor. As a Pulmonary Critical Care Section Chief at the Department of Veteran Affairs, the responsibilities expand beyond clinical duties to include leadership, administrative, and oversight roles. The major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Leadership and Management: Lead the pulmonary and critical care section, ensuring effective and efficient operations. Supervise and mentor staff physicians, advanced practice providers, and other healthcare professionals within the section. Oversee recruitment, training, and professional development of section staff. Ensure high standards of clinical care are maintained within the section. Clinical Oversight: Maintain active clinical practice in pulmonary and critical care medicine. Provide expert consultation and support to other medical staff regarding complex pulmonary and critical care cases. Ensure adherence to evidence-based practice guidelines and clinical protocols. Lead clinical rounds and case discussions. Program Development and Quality Improvement: Develop and implement clinical programs and initiatives to enhance patient care within the section. Lead quality improvement projects aimed at improving clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Monitor and evaluate clinical performance metrics, ensuring compliance with national standards (e.g., ORYX, HEDIS, SAIL measures). Collaborate with other departments to implement multi-disciplinary approaches to patient care. Research and Academic Activities: Promote and support clinical research initiatives within the section. Facilitate participation in research projects and clinical trials. Encourage academic writing and publication among the section staff. Establish relationships with affiliated academic institutions to support educational and research activities. Education and Training: Oversee the educational activities of the section, including the training of medical students, residents, and fellows. Provide continuing education opportunities for section personnel. Organize and participate in teaching rounds, lectures, and other educational sessions. Administrative Duties: Develop and manage the section's budget, ensuring efficient use of resources. Participate in hospital committees, task forces, and strategic planning activities. Ensure compliance with VA policies, procedures, and regulations. Patient Advocacy and Safety: Advocate for the needs and welfare of the patients under the care of the pulmonary and critical care section. Ensure that patient safety standards are maintained and that any incidents or concerns are appropriately addressed. Engage with patients and their families to provide education, support, and resources related to pulmonary and critical care. Serving as a Pulmonary Critical Care Section Chief at the Department of Veteran Affairs requires a combination of clinical expertise, leadership skills, and administrative acumen. The role demands a commitment to providing high-quality patient care, fostering a collaborative work environment, and contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge and practice within the VA system. 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 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.