Lead Critical Care for Veterans: Director of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Opportunity in Salisbury, NC – Up to $200K in Student Loan Repayment!

Lead Critical Care for Veterans: Director of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Opportunity in Salisbury, NC – Up to $200K in Student Loan Repayment!

The Salisbury VA Health Care System has an exciting opening for an energetic, driven, and visionary leader in healthcare to serve as Physician – Director of Pulmonary & Critical Care.

Interested candidates may send cover Letter & CV to annie.luckey@va.gov

FACILITY DETAILS: The Salisbury VA Health Care System is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care to veterans across central and western North Carolina. Serving more than 90,000 Veterans, the health care system includes the W.G. “Bill” Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury, along with community-based outpatient clinics in Charlotte and Kernersville. Designated as a Level 1A complexity facility by the Veterans Health Administration, Salisbury VA provides a comprehensive range of services, including primary and specialty care, mental health services, rehabilitation, extended care, and social support—all tailored to meet the unique needs of veterans. Through its dedicated team of professionals, the Salisbury VA Health Care System strives to honor and serve those who have served our country.

POSITION DETAILS: The Salisbury VA Health Care System, a complexity 1a facility with over 100 specialists, is seeking a physician leader with expertise in adult Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine to serve as Critical Care ICU Director across our Salisbury, Charlotte, and Kernersville sites. The selected physician will provide clinical and administrative leadership for Critical Care and Pulmonary programs, overseeing pulmonologists, the Chief of Respiratory Therapy, and all related staff. This role involves setting strategic direction for inpatient and ICU programs, maintaining high standards for care quality and professional practice, and leading performance improvement efforts.

Responsibilities include direct and supervisory duties, provider schedule development, direction and evaluation of pulmonary and respiratory staff, and administrative work with the Associate Chief of Staff for Medicine. The Director will ensure compliance with clinical practice standards, participate in hospital committees and peer review, manage provider privileges and competencies, and foster communication within the pulmonary team. The incumbent is responsible for supporting staff development, recommending disciplinary action when necessary, and ensuring adequate coverage for clinical operations. This is an outstanding opportunity to direct a high-performing program, advance clinical practice, and provide outstanding care for Veterans in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Preferred Experience: Board certified or board eligible preferred. Experience working in pulmonary/ICU is expected and skills should include ability to place central venous lines, hemodialysis catheters and intubation.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS: Salisbury, North Carolina, blends rich Southern history with vibrant small-town charm, making it one of the most welcoming and livable cities in the region. Known as the birthplace of the legendary soft drink Cheerwine, Salisbury hosts the annual Cheerwine Festival, drawing thousands to downtown each year for live music, local food, and a true taste of North Carolina hospitality. The city center features the historic Bell Tower Green—a beautiful urban park and community gathering space, home to concerts, markets, festivals, and more. Salisbury offers a high quality of life with a friendly atmosphere, affordable cost of living, and an active arts and culture scene. Its well-preserved downtown boasts unique shops, charming cafes, galleries, and theaters, while the city’s tree-lined neighborhoods and scenic parks provide ample opportunities for recreation. Educational excellence is reflected in top-rated local schools and easy access to higher education and medical training, thanks to nearby university and healthcare partnerships. Conveniently located between Charlotte and the Triad, Salisbury offers easy access to metropolitan amenities while preserving a close-knit feel and a strong sense of community pride. Whether you’re exploring the city’s historic districts, enjoying outdoor festivals, or discovering local flavors, Salisbury delivers the best of North Carolina living.

View more details at Visit Rowan County (Tourism & Visitor Information for Salisbury, NC) & Salisbury, North Carolina Official Website

The W.G. Hefner VAMC is a 484-bed medical center located in Salisbury, North Carolina. Inpatient services are provided for acute medicine, cardiology, surgery, psychiatry, physical rehabilitation, subacute and extended care, neuropsychiatry services, psychiatric intensive care, and geropsychiatry. Primary and specialized outpatient services are provided at the medical center and outpatient clinics. The medical center is affiliated with Wake Forest University School of Medicine, with a focus on resident involvement in primary care, dermatology, rehabilitation, ophthalmology, and psychiatry. The Salisbury VAMC is recognized as one of the largest employers in Rowan County and enjoys the recognition and respect of the community through an active outreach program.

Community Information:

Salisbury provides all the perks of a small town but is located just 40 minutes down Hwy I-85 from Charlotte,NC which is the 33rd largest metropolitan in the nation boasting 1.84 million in population. Both Greensboro, NC and Winston-Salem NC are located within 1 hours drive. Salisbury has a population of 26,548, and is the county seat of Rowan County. It is also the home of three colleges: Catawba College, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Livingstone College

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