Our primary care physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants (PAs) work to deliver high-quality care to Veterans nationwide. Within VA’s integrated health care system, you’ll play a vital role in providing frontline medical services to Veterans.
“Where else can you practice meaningful, team-based, and comprehensive primary care in a manner that serves a higher purpose while also maintaining your individual life/work balance?” said Dr. Dhruv Gadhia, deputy associate chief of staff, Ambulatory and Emergency Care Clinical Center (AECCC), VA Maryland Health Care System.
Physicians
Being part of the largest integrated health care network in the nation means there are unlimited opportunities for physicians at VA. From rural emergency departments to high-volume urban sites, from solo practice to urgent care centers, there’s an option for everyone.
Even better is the opportunity to find a balance between work and life that leaves you energized and ready to help Veterans reach their whole health.
“What I didn’t expect was a system that allows me to go home after each shift feeling empowered rather than depleted and that acknowledges that physicians need time to rest and recover so that that they can give the best version of themselves to Veterans,” wrote Dr. Neil Patel.
Physician assistants
Physician assistants serve in one of the broadest roles in VA’s nationwide health care system. A PA can provide direct patient care and can work in multiple areas of specialty and primary care, diagnosing and treating common illnesses and working with minor procedures.
It’s a mission of service you won’t find anywhere else.
“I deliver care from the perspective of wanting the Veterans to be treated as if they were my family,” said PA Elizabeth Robinson. “I ask myself, ‘If this were my mom, how would I want her care to be?’ Every time I go into a patient’s room, my goal is to do what’s best for them and provide the highest quality of treatment.”
Nurse practitioners
With the training necessary to diagnose, treat, and manage acute, chronic, and episodic complaints, nurse practitioners (NPs) at VA focus on health promotion and disease prevention to positively impact Veteran patient outcomes.
Their clinical expertise allows them to play a critical role in strengthening access to care for Veterans throughout the VA health care system, whether that’s through inpatient care, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics, or emergency rooms. However, what matters most is the ability to make a difference for Veterans.
“What I value about working at VA is that we get to approach challenges with our Veterans’ care at the forefront,” said Christina Flint-Lowe, an NP at Bay Pines VA. “I get to honor the Veteran with each decision I make.”
Unique opportunities
Finding your way to VA can take many shapes, but part of our goal is to make it easier for skilled practitioners like yourself to join our team.
If you are a physician, PA, or nurse practitioner and want to use your clinical skills caring for Veterans, but are tied to a service contract with your current employer, our Contract Buy-Out Program (CBOP) may be the path to VA that you’ve been looking for.
CBOP authorizes VA to buy out service contracts for physicians, nurse practitioners, and PAs (as well as certified registered nurse anesthetists) in exchange for 4 years of service at one of our rural or highly rural VA medical centers or an affiliated community-based outpatient clinic.
“Over the years, there have been too many physicians and health care providers who want to serve our Veteran patients but had to turn down the opportunity due to a contract with their current employer,” explained Paul Gaffney, program manager.
“With the CBOP, they now have the ability to not only begin a rewarding career, but it will enable them to focus on the clinical aspects of medicine knowing they have support from the largest health care system in the country.”
Even better, participation in CBOP does not preclude you from enjoying other benefits available to our employees. Whether it’s a recruitment bonus for your specialty or letting us pay down your student debt through the Education Debt Reduction Program, there are a lot of perks waiting for you at VA.
Work at VA
Primary care careers provide rewarding, fulfilling opportunities to serve those who have served. Explore openings nationwide and learn about what VA has to offer.
- LEARN about primary care clinicians at VA.
- EXPLORE the benefits of a VA career.
- SEARCH for an opportunity near you.
