Deputy Chief of Integrative Health

Deputy Chief of Integrative Health, San Francisco VA Health Care System / UCSF

San Francisco VA and UCSF are recruiting a Deputy Chief of Integrative Health (physician).  The Deputy Chief will co-lead a dynamic, interdisciplinary Integrative Health service that provides proactive, patient-centered, evidence-based Whole Health and CIH (complementary and integrative health) care. This 1.0 VA Full Time Equivalent position includes approximately 50% clinical activities and 50% supervisory/administrative responsibilities.

Apply by Wednesday, May 6, 2026, to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Position description

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO & San Francisco VA Health Care System

Department of Medicine

Division of General Internal Medicine

Position Title: Deputy Chief of Integrative Health, San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS)

Salary: $145,000 - $335,000 (negotiable based on candidate's qualifications, credentials and experience)

Location: UCSF and SFVAHCS

Position Description

The Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), in affiliation with the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System (SFVAHCS), is seeking a Deputy Chief of Integrative Health to join the Integrative Health Service at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. This full time faculty position will report to the Chief of Integrative Health and serve as a key leader in the SFVAHCS Integrative Health Service, advancing VA’s national Whole Health initiative and strengthening the SFVAHCS/UCSF partnership in patient care, research, and education.

The Deputy Chief will co-lead a dynamic and expanding Integrative Health service and Whole Health program that provides proactive, patient centered, evidence based complementary and integrative health (CIH) care. The service is highly interdisciplinary, including clinicians and staff from medicine, nursing, acupuncture, chiropractic care, physical and occupational therapy, recreational therapy, psychology, nutrition, social work, and health coaching. The Deputy Chief will directly supervise many of these clinicians, supporting collaborative delivery of multimodal care to prevent and manage chronic conditions and to promote whole-person well being for veterans.

The SFVAHCS includes the San Francisco VA Medical Center—its main Level 1 tertiary facility—and affiliated clinics in San Francisco, Oakland, San Bruno, Santa Rosa, Ukiah, Eureka, and Clearlake, California. Integrative Health clinical services are delivered both in person and via telehealth across the system. The team operates three interdisciplinary clinics: the Post 9/11 Integrated Care Clinic, the Integrated Pain Team Clinic, and the Integrative Health and Wellness Clinic, in addition to offering a broad array of wellness programs such as yoga, tai chi, mindfulness, biofeedback, guided imagery, and gentle exercise.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Serve as a senior leader within the Integrative Health Service, supervising clinicians in medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic care, social work, recreation therapy, and other disciplines.
• Provide clinical care in the Integrative Health and Wellness Clinic.
• Serve as clinical leader for Whole Health transformation efforts across SFVAHCS.
• Collaborate with UCSF, SFVAHCS, and national partners to advance integrative and Whole Health care.
• Participate in scholarly activities (quality improvement, research, teaching/precepting) as time permits.

Minimum Required Qualifications

Educational Degree(s)

MD, DO, or equivalent clinical doctoral degree.

Licenses / Certifications (if applicable)

• Eligibility for or possession of a valid California medical license.
• Board certification in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, or equivalent.

Experience & Qualifications

• Completion of fellowship training in Integrative Medicine or equivalent training (e.g., Lifestyle Medicine).
• Experience in complementary and integrative health practice
• Eligibility for VA credentialing and appointment at SFVAHCS.
• Eligibility for faculty appointment under UCSF Academic Personnel guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within the VA healthcare system.
• Experience as a supervisor, ideally in interdisciplinary program leadership.
• Experience caring for veteran populations.

Appointment Details

This is a 1.0 VA Full Time Equivalent position, typically including approximately 50% clinical activities and 50% administrative and other responsibilities. Applicants seeking less than full time employment may be considered on a case by case basis.

The incumbent is required to work in person at the San Francisco VA Medical Center (4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA).

The academic appointment will be in the Clinical series at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Final appointment is contingent upon UCSF approval and successful SFVAHCS credentialing.

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