Assistant Chief Primary Care - VA Northern California Health Care System

Are you a proven physician leader looking to shape the future of primary care while achieving work-life balance? The Stockton VA, a member of the VA Northern California Health Care System, seeks an innovative and dedicated Assistant Chief of Primary Care. Advance your leadership career while making a tangible difference in the health of our nation’s veterans—and enjoy all that Northern California has to offer.

Position Overview:

The Assistant ACOS (AACOS) of the Southern tier clinics—Martinez, Fairfield, Mare Island, Stockton, Sonora, and Modesto—serves as a practicing physician managing patients enrolled in the Northern California VA Health Care System (NCHCS) and oversees administrative operations. The AACOS dedicates approximately 30-50% of their time to clinical care and administrative duties, with up to 20% devoted to resident and medical student teaching as assigned. Key responsibilities include serving as a role model, enforcing collective bargaining agreements, leading disciplinary actions, optimizing staffing models, preparing for regulatory surveys, and strategically planning for clinic needs. The AACOS coordinates health care delivery, reports to leadership, and ensures high standards of quality and efficiency.

Additionally, the AACOS fosters open communication across NCHCS, monitors compliance with practice standards, encourages clinical innovation, and supports recruitment and retention of clinical staff. Clinical duties include evaluating and treating patients, performing histories and physical exams, documenting care, managing patient close-out, prescribing medications, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, communicating results, and handling consultations. The AACOS also performs procedures within approved privileges and serves as a preceptor for residents as directed.

Why You Should Join Us:

1. Impactful Leadership: Shape and support a team passionate about veteran-centered primary care, creating a legacy of improved health outcomes.
2. Modern Facility: Work in a newly constructed, technology-forward outpatient clinic designed for collaborative care and provider satisfaction.
3. Collaborative Team: Thrive alongside exceptional clinicians and staff in an inclusive, mission-driven work environment.
4. Competitive Compensation and Federal Benefits: Receive a salary range of $330,000 to $340,000 plus a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
• Performance bonus and recruitment incentives
• Annual cost-of-living adjustments
• Health, dental, vision, and prescription insurance coverage starting on your first day
• Federal retirement (FERS pension), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with matching, and Social Security
• Up to $200,000 tax-free Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) if eligible
• 26 vacation days, 13 sick days, 11 paid federal holidays, and CME leave
• Malpractice coverage (with tail)
• Life insurance, CME reimbursement, and more
5. Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexible scheduling, administrative support, and a supportive culture dedicated to your professional fulfillment and personal well-being.

Lifestyle and Location:

Located in the heart of California's Central Valley, Stockton is a vibrant, diverse city with a rich history and a welcoming community. As the county seat of San Joaquin County, Stockton offers residents and professionals an affordable cost of living paired with convenient access to major destinations—just 45 minutes from Sacramento and 90 minutes from the Bay Area.

Community Highlights:

• Diversity & Culture: One of the most diverse cities in the nation, Stockton features a wealth of cultural festivals, dining options, and artistic pursuits, including the Stockton Symphony and the Haggin Museum.
• Education: The city is home to the University of the Pacific, providing excellent academic and cultural enrichment opportunities.
• Recreation: Residents enjoy access to scenic parks, the Delta waterways for boating and fishing, golf courses, and a bustling waterfront promenade.
• Economic Opportunities: Stockton's economy blends agriculture, healthcare, logistics, and education—offering a variety of opportunities for professionals and their families.
• Proximity: Close to renowned wine regions (Lodi), Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, and Northern California coastal areas.

Stockton is proud of its sense of community and is an ideal place to live and work for those seeking balance between a dynamic career and an enjoyable lifestyle.

Ready to Lead and Make a Difference?
Please email your CV to Gregory.Salmon@va.gov

The Department of Veteran Affairs Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS) is an integrated health care delivery system, offering a comprehensive array of medical, surgical, rehabilitative, mental health and extended care to veterans in Northern California. The health system is comprised of a medical center in Sacramento; a rehabilitation and extended care facility in Martinez; outpatient clinics in Martinez, Fairfield, Vallejo, Stockton, Modesto, Sonora, Sacramento (Mather and McClellan Park), Auburn, Yuba City, Redding, Chico, and Yreka; and dental clinics in Vallejo, Sacramento and Redding.

Our outpatient clinic offers primary care and specialty health services, including addiction and substance abuse treatment, mental health care, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), smoking and tobacco cessation, physical and occupational therapy, and more. 

https://www.visitstockton.org/

Discover a flavorful Northern California getaway and the essence of California's Central Valley as you explore the most culturally rich and diverse city in San Joaquin County. Strategically situated along the California Delta, here, the river flows out to the coast, cultures converge, and the world comes together. If variety is the spice of life, this is one hot city. Get to Stockton by boat, air, train, or bus and discover a number of beautiful residential communities along waterways, with single-family homes costing about one-third the price of homes in the Bay Area. While you're in town, cheer for one of our professional sports teams, pick up a treasure along the "Miracle Mile" or take a tour of nearby Lodi wine country. Next stop? San Francisco, or maybe Yosemite. The adventure never ends when you start at the heart of California's famous Central Valley.

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