Primary Care Physician

Primary Care Physicians are responsible for providing Comprehensive Primary Care for Veterans. The primary care provider should, in the context of a longitudinal relationship, fulfill all primary care needs, including acute and chronic illness, gender-specific PC, mental health (screen for conditions such as depression, substance use/abuse, military sexual trauma and PTSD, and evaluate and treat uncomplicated mental health disorders as well as substance use disorders and refer patients appropriately for further evaluation and treatment of sexual assault and military sexual trauma, mental health disorders and substance use disorders) and preventative care (age-appropriate cancer screening e.g., colon, breast and cervical cancer – as well as weight management counseling, smoking cessation and immunizations, etc.) along with coordination of care delivery (when specialty care is needed, the primary care provider will coordinate this care and communicate with the specialty provider regarding the evaluation and treatment plan to ensure continuity of care). All Physicians are responsible to have read the Medical Staff Bylaws and to comply with the Bylaws. All physicians are responsible to timely complete all mandatory training.
• On the outpatient side, primary care physicians will be responsible for delivery of primary care to patients enrolled in VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS). Physicians may be asked to manage a panel of patients primarily.
• Panel size is determined at the National level, through a complex formula which extracts local information regarding available support staff, number of exam rooms, etc. Each provider’s panel size is specific to their practice and setting.
• Alternative or collateral duties may include management of a subsection of primary care patients defined either by a disease status or demographic status (eg, women veterans, older (geriatric) population, etc.). Participation in special projects pertinent to the assigned section may be necessary as the need arises due to strategic of other initiatives.
• Most providers will need to act as surrogates for the patients of their colleagues, when one or more of their colleagues are on leave.
• Typical work hours are Monday to Friday 8-4:30p.m. Alternative work schedules require Service Chief approval. Each full time provider is required to work a minimum of 80 hrs per pay period (every two weeks) unless on leave status.
• All physicians need to follow departmental and VHA policies for leave and attendance and will work within Title 38 appointment guidelines. Currently VHA guidelines do not permit comp time or overtime pay for physicians. Leaves should be requested in as much advance as possible to minimize patient cancellations. All unscheduled absences must be properly communicated, and patients should be rescheduled within time frame as specified in department’s policies.
• Clinical reminders and view alerts should be addressed timely and as medically appropriate. Quality of care should be able to meet professional standards at all times.
• All physicians will work within their privileges at all times, unless necessitated by an emergency.