PHYSICIAN GERIATRICS AND EXTENDED CARE

About the Role

The Geriatric Medicine Physician at the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System (Leavenworth and Topeka VAMCs) independently provides comprehensive clinical services to eligible veterans. This role serves a diverse population ranging from adults aged 18 to the elderly, spanning medical, surgical, and psychiatric needs across both inpatient and outpatient settings.

As a key member of an interdisciplinary teaching facility, the physician collaborates closely with veterans, their families, significant others, community agencies, and fellow staff members. The position requires adept interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate complex care scenarios, including patients with delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, and sensible individual capable of maintaining effectiveness in stressful situations and shifting priorities based on evolving patient needs.

Day in the Life

The role offers a blend of clinical care, leadership, and specialized services. Responsibilities may include providing medical care for residents in Community Living Centers, serving as a Medical Director for these centers, and delivering palliative care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The physician may also lead outpatient care in Geriatric Primary Care (GeriPACT) or the Geriatric Assessment Clinic, and provide clinical or administrative services within the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Program.

Collaboration is central to the position, with the physician expected to cover for other Geriatricians during leave and provide minimal call coverage for Geriatrics and Extended Care. The work schedule is typically 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, allowing for a structured approach to patient care while adhering to all Medical Staff bylaws and Medical Center policies.

Benefits & Culture

The VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support long-term career growth and well-being. Physicians receive a competitive salary with annual performance bonuses and regular salary increases. The benefits package includes:

• Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off annually, comprising 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and a possible 5-day paid absence for Continuing Medical Education (CME).
• Retirement: A traditional federal pension with a 5-year vesting period and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions from the VA.
• Insurance: Comprehensive federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance, with many programs carryable into retirement.
• Education Debt Reduction: Eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) for qualified candidates.
• Professional Support: Free liability protection with tail coverage and up to $1,000 per year in CME reimbursement for full-time, board-certified physicians.
• Flexibility: No physician employment contract and no significant restrictions on moonlighting.

Application Process

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet basic federal requirements, including U.S. citizenship (with limited exceptions), a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine degree from an approved school, and a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia. Completion of an accredited residency training program is also required.

Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but cannot be hired until all requirements are fully met. For more information on qualification standards, please visit the official VA Office of Human Resources Management website. The VA is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.