Innovative Leadership: Emergency Medicine Section Chief Role at Fresno VA

Innovative Leadership: Emergency Medicine Section Chief Role at Fresno VA

Join Our Distinguished Team as Section Chief, Emergency Medicine at the VA Central California Health Care System, Fresno, CA!

Are you driven by a passion for emergency medicine and a commitment to serving our nation's heroes? The VA Central California Health Care System invites you to lead our exceptional team in delivering high-quality emergency care to veterans. Located in Fresno, CA, you'll find a rewarding career and a vibrant community to call home.

Section Chief, Emergency Medicine Role Overview:

Responsibilities Include:

The VA Central California Health Care System (VACCHS) in Fresno is seeking applications for the position of Chief, Emergency Medicine (EM) Section at the VACCHS Medical Center. VACCHS serves approximately 40,000 Veterans through the VACCHS Medical Center and various community-based outpatient clinics. The VACCHS Medical Center is an academic medical center with around 4,000 admissions per year, offering a full complement of specialty care services, including cardiology and gastroenterology, oncology care, and surgical subspecialties. The EM section exists within the VACCHS Primary Care Service and maintains an academic affiliation with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

The VACCHS Emergency Medicine section comprises approximately 10 staff physicians and 3 advanced practice providers who deliver urgent and emergency clinical care for the VACCHS. EM faculty are also engaged in research and education for internal medicine residents. In addition to serving a major leadership role within the VACCHS, the EM Division Chief interfaces with other emergency medicine leaders within the Fresno community and collaborates with the VHA national EM chiefs. The ideal candidate will be supported by a strong record of clinical excellence, leadership, teaching, and/or published scholarship.

Veteran-Centered Care:

• Deliver comprehensive emergency care services with an emphasis on rapid assessment, stabilization, treatment, and disposition of a wide range of medical conditions.
• Promote shared decision-making with veterans and their families to achieve optimal health outcomes.

Clinical Excellence:

• Provide direct patient care in the emergency department, including diagnosis, treatment, and management of acute conditions.
• Oversee the delivery of emergency medical services, ensuring high standards of care and patient safety.
• Conduct consultations and follow-up care as needed.

Administrative Duties:

• Implement and oversee policies and procedures to ensure high standards of care within the Emergency Medicine Section.
• Manage the operational aspects of the section, including staffing, budget, and resource allocation.

Quality Improvement:

• Participate in continuous quality improvement initiatives and projects.
• Utilize various quality measurement tools to monitor and improve clinical performance and patient outcomes.

Educational and Research Activities:

• Support and contribute to the educational mission by mentoring and providing guidance to residents, fellows, and medical students.
• Encourage and engage in research activities to advance the field of emergency medicine.

Healthcare Coordination:

• Collaborate with other healthcare providers to develop individualized treatment plans for veterans.
• Coordinate care involving specialty services and ensure comprehensive healthcare delivery.

Why You Should Join Us:

1. Impactful Leadership: Lead the Emergency Medicine Section, guiding a dedicated team of professionals committed to delivering exemplary care. Your visionary leadership will directly influence the quality of care and create a profoundly positive impact on the lives of veterans.
2. State-of-the-Art Facility: Work in a modern, well-equipped facility that supports advanced emergency medical diagnostics and treatments. Our commitment to excellence means you'll have access to the latest medical technologies and resources.
3. Collaborative Environment: Join a team of esteemed professionals who value collaboration and continuous improvement. Share knowledge, innovate together, and benefit from a multidisciplinary approach that includes experts from various fields working in unison to provide comprehensive care.
4. Competitive Compensation and Unmatched Benefits:
• Enjoy a competitive salary range of $200,000 to $400,000 per year, designed for your well-being and peace of mind.
• Performance Bonus: Additional performance-based incentives.
• Recruitment Incentive: Attractive recruitment incentive to help ease your transition into the role.
• Annual Cost of Living Increase: Adjustments to keep your salary competitive with inflation.
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage including medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits. Multiple plan options, with coverage beginning on the first day of employment.
• Retirement Benefits: Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) featuring a pension plan, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with employer matching up to 5%, and Social Security benefits. This provides a secure retirement foundation.
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Up to $200,000 in tax-free student loan repayment over five years.
• Paid Time Off: Physicians earn 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 federal holidays per year, and up to 5 days for authorized absence to attend CME training.
• Life Insurance: Coverage through the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI).
• Malpractice Liability Protection: Includes free liability protection with tail coverage provided.
• Continuing Medical Education (CME): Reimbursement available for CME expenses, supporting your professional growth.
5. Work-Life Balance and Supportive Workplace: The VA Central California Health Care System is committed to creating a supportive work environment that allows leaders to focus on providing excellent care while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. We offer flexible scheduling, comprehensive support services, and a collaborative culture.
6. A Commitment to Innovation and Excellence: The VA is dedicated to continuous improvement and innovative practices. Be part of an organization that values research, implements the latest medical advancements, and strives for excellence in all aspects of patient care.
7. Make a Lasting Difference: Your role as Section Chief, Emergency Medicine at the VA isn't just a job—it's a mission. You'll have the opportunity to give back to those who have given so much for our country by providing leadership that honors their service and promotes their well-being.

Discover Fresno, CA:

Fresno is the largest city in the Central Valley and a thriving hub for culture, community, and outdoor adventure. The area boasts:

• Convenient Location: Proximity to Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks for hiking, camping, and exploring.
• Educational Institutions: Home to California State University, Fresno (Fresno State), and other top-tier educational institutions.
• Outdoor Delights: Enjoy local parks, trails, and recreational areas for a variety of outdoor activities.
• Cultural Richness: Experience vibrant cultural attractions, museums, theaters, and a diverse dining scene.
• Family-Friendly Environment: Community-centered events and services, making it a great place for families.

Ready to Make a Difference?

For additional information or to connect with our Human Resources team, please contact: Gregory.Salmon@va.gov

Join us in making a difference. Honor the service, empower veteran health, and live life to the fullest in Fresno, CA!

Paid Time Off:

• 26 Days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave
• 13 Days paid sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation
• 11 Federal holidays with pay annually
• 5 Days paid absence to attend approved CME courses

Insurance:

• Health Insurance: VA employees have an outstanding number of health insurance plans from which to choose (premiums are partially paid by VA) Lifetime Healthcare Insurance options available
• Dental & Vision: Our insurance options also include exceptional vision and dental plans (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• VA employees have the option to use Flexible Spending Accounts, which allow you to use tax-free dollars to pay for medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance plan
• Term life insurance, family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government
• Long-term care insurance is available as an option

Federal Retirement Plan:

• VA employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits, 2) FERS-RAE basic benefits (pension), and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan
• How is the pension funded? VA employees automatically contribute 4.4% of their salary each pay period and the VA contributes 12.2% of the employee’s salary each pay period for a total annual contribution percentage equal to 16.6% of the employee’s salary
• Similar to the 401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector, the TSP allows employees to tax defer a portion of their income each year, subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. For calendar year 2025, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $23,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $31,000.
• The Federal Government also provides an automatic basic contribution (1% of salary) and up to 4% of salary in matching contributions, depending on the amount of the employee contribution
• For retired military personnel, these benefits are in addition to full monthly retirement pay or pension
• In addition to FERS, VA provides health care insurance coverage for retired personnel
• Disability Retirement
• Employees are vested in a federal pension after only 5 years service