Exceptional Noninvasive Cardiologist Role – Impact Veteran Lives in San Antonio

The South Texas VA Health Care System (STVHCS) in beautiful San Antonio, Texas, is seeking two highly qualified Noninvasive Cardiologists to join the Cardiology Department / Heart Center Services—the only nationally designated VA Heart Center, combining Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery under one unified service.

This is an excellent opportunity for physicians who want a rewarding clinical career with meaningful service to Veterans, outstanding work-life balance, and one of the most comprehensive federal benefits packages available in the healthcare industry.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

Primary Responsibilities • Provide both inpatient and outpatient noninvasive cardiology care.
• Staff cardiology clinic (typically 6–7 patients per half day)
• Rotate through CCU coverage, inpatient consults, and noninvasive testing (echo, stress testing)
• Participate in echo/stress lab interpretation
• Engage in teaching cardiology fellows and other trainees
• Optional opportunities for involvement in research and academic activities
• No supervisory responsibilities

Work Environment • Mix of inpatient and outpatient responsibilities
• Patient population includes general cardiology conditions (rare congenital cases)
• Supported by a growing team: interventional cardiologists, electrophysiology, 5 full?time and 3 part?time non-invasive cardiologists, RNs, EKG/echo techs, APPs

Facilities & Technology • Full-spectrum cardiovascular services
• Advanced imaging capabilities (Cardiac CT, Cardiac MRI)
• Dedicated Heart Center environment within one of the nation’s fastest-growing VA hospitals
• Access to academic resources through cardiology fellowship programs

Quality of Life / Call • Monday–Friday schedule, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (unless on call)
• Call is shared among all staff with variable frequency
• Typically no more than 6 weekends per year, plus some holiday/weekday coverage
• Weekend/holiday duties limited to in-person CCU/consult rounds

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & INCENTIVES

Competitive Compensation • Starting salary: approximately $330,000+ (negotiable, based on experience and board certification)
• Additional VA incentives available:
– Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – up to $200,000 in loan repayment (eligibility required)
– Potential sign-on bonus
– Relocation assistance

Unmatched Federal Benefits Package • Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS):
– Includes a pension (defined benefit)
– Pension vested after 5 years of service
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP):
– 401(k)-style plan with up to 5% federal matching contributions
• Generous Paid Time Off:
– 26 days annual leave
– 13 sick days
– 11 paid federal holidays
– Possible education leave (CME typically supported)
• Malpractice coverage fully provided with tail coverage
• No contracts, no non?compete agreements
• Stable federal employment with unmatched job security

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

• U.S. Citizenship strongly preferred (non?citizens may be considered when qualified candidates are unavailable)
  • Board certification in Cardiology is required
  • Board certification in Echocardiography strongly preferred
  • Eligible for full, unrestricted medical license in any U.S. state or territory
  • Recent graduates and candidates with academic interests are welcome

WHY SAN ANTONIO?

San Antonio is one of the most vibrant, historic, and welcoming cities in the country. Enjoy:
• No state income tax (Texas is tax?free on personal income)
• Affordable housing and low cost of living
• Excellent schools and family?friendly communities
• World-class food, culture, and entertainment
• Outdoor recreation, rivers, trails, and parks
• Attractions such as The River Walk, Pearl District, The Alamo, Hill Country wineries, and NBA basketball
• A diverse, growing city that blends urban amenities with a relaxed lifestyle

San Antonio is also home to one of the fastest-growing VA healthcare markets, with plans for a major new VA hospital in the coming years.

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

South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) is comprised of two inpatient campuses: the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio and the Kerrville VA Hospital in Kerrville, Texas. STVHCS serves one of the largest primary service areas in the nation and is part of the VA Heart of Texas Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 17), with offices located in Arlington, Texas. South Texas provides health care services for 80,000 unique Veterans. The Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital (ALMMVH), named after the nation’s most decorated World War II hero, is a quaternary care facility, which is affiliated with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). Comprehensive health care is provided through acute medical, surgical, mental health, physical medicine and rehabilitation, geriatric, and primary care services. Comprised of a Spinal Cord Injury Center, a Community Living Center, a Domiciliary, and a Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP). ALMMVH provides quaternary services including bone marrow transplantation, open-heart surgery, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography. As a Level II Research facility ALMMVH has projects that include aging, cardiac surgery, cancer, diabetes and HIV. The facility has one of three National Institutes of Health sponsored clinical research centers in the VA. In addition, the Geriatric Research, Education & Clinical Center (GRECC) is a “Center of Excellence.” The Kerrville VA Hospital (KVAH), located 65 miles northwest of San Antonio, provides primary care, some specialty care, geriatric evaluation and management, palliative care, and long-term care services with a Community Living Center. Outpatient clinics offer primary care and some specialty care while sharing resources with each other and their respective communities. When required, Veterans are referred to ALMMVH or KVAH for specialty care including medicine, surgery, neuropsychiatry, rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, and long-term care services.