Physician - Pathology Service Chief

Physician - Pathology Service Chief

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Richmond, Virginia

Salary Range: $225000 - $400000 Per Year

Job Summary: The Richmond VA medical Center is currently seeking a Physician Service Chief for the Pathology and Laboratory Medical Service. This position provides executive leadership and oversight for all aspects of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service within the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS), including direct supervision of pathologists, laboratory supervisors, technologists, and administrative staff

Major Duties:

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting The Chief will oversee all pathology, laboratory, and anesthesia services, ensuring operational efficiency, clinical excellence, and compliance with industry standards. Responsibilities include staff supervision, quality assurance, budget management, and promoting patient safety. The ideal candidate will have expertise in pathology, anesthesiology, healthcare management, and leadership Duties Include but not limited to: Leadership and Strategic Alignment - Provide executive oversight and strategic direction for all pathology and laboratory programs and clinical teams. - Collaborate with executive, surgical, and procedural leadership to formulate policies, best practices, and resource planning for staffing, equipment, and space. - Identify long- and short-range organizational needs and develop proposals for executive-level consideration. - Actively participate in facility, VISN, and national committees related to perioperative governance, sedation policy, and patient safety. - Serve as key liaison with facility leadership on all matters related to anesthesia services, representing anesthesia interests in organizational planning and strategic initiatives. - Communicate regularly with executive leadership, including the Chief of Staff, regarding anesthesia performance, challenges, and opportunities. Quality Management, Compliance, and Program Oversight - Ensure pathology and laboratory services comply with VHA directives, CLIA, CAP, and Joint Commission standards, and other accrediting requirements. - Foster a culture of continuous quality improvement through systematic monitoring and evaluation of anesthesia outcomes. - Oversee implementation of quality improvement programs, including morbidity and mortality reviews, peer review, FPPE/OPPE, and patient safety initiatives. - Monitor clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and adherence to ASA and VHA practice standards. - Ensure readiness for accreditation surveys and maintain compliance with sedation/anesthesia policies across all procedural areas. Staff Supervision, Recruitment, and Development - Provide direct supervision and mentorship to pathologists, laboratory supervisors, and support staff. Oversee recruitment, credentialing, privileging, and performance management for laboratory personnel. Ensure comprehensive onboarding and ongoing education in laboratory safety, compliance, and quality management. - Oversee recruitment, credentialing, privileging, and performance management for anesthesia personnel. - Ensure comprehensive onboarding and ongoing education in anesthesia safety, airway management, and crisis resource management. Clinical Responsibilities (10% of time) Provide direct diagnostic interpretation (surgical pathology, cytology, clinical consults) and oversight of laboratory testing within granted privileges. Serve as a clinical resource for pathology-related consultations. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00- 16:30

Qualifications: To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences. Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e., not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee-basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather, they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Preferred Experience: Demonstrate executive- level of leadership in managing Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Services. Extensive experience in anatomic and clinical pathology. Proven success in ensuring compliance with CLIA, CAP Joint Commission, and VHA regulatory and accreditation standards Strong background in quality management, including leading or overseeing morbidity and mortality review, peer review processes (FPPE/OPPE) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019, applicants must be able to perform the duties as a Physician. Moderate lifting (15-44 lbs.), light carrying (under 15 lbs.), use of fingers, both hands required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Specific visual requirement 20/50 one, 20/100 other (glasses permitted), hearing (aid permitted), mental and emotional stability, ability to hear conversational voice, working with hands in water, working alone, protracted, or irregular hours of work.

How to Apply: To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. To apply for this position online, complete steps 1 and 2 above by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/16/2026 to receive consideration. Please note, this announcement may close prior to the closing date indicated if the position is filled through other means. If you are unable to apply online before the closing date click here and include the CBTA-12905215-26-TKD in the Notes field. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-16