Definition

Under the direction of the Chief Medical Officer the Physician provides primary medical services to patients of the health center in partnership with a community partner organization. In addition, unless specifically exempted by the Chief Medical Officer, the Physician shall be qualified to serve on the active Medical Staff of a local hospital should the health center expand its services. The Physician is a core member of a collaborative care team that may involve the patient’s primary care provider, nursing staff, and other care providers and/or clinical staff.

• Roles & Responsibilities

  • Promotes the mission, vision, and values of the health center.
  • As part of the health center team, assists in both the planning and implementation of health care plans for patients.
  • Assumes quality of care for all patients. Provides appropriate, efficient, and effective clinical medical care required in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human disease and injury.
  • Works with facility staff and medical staff through the processes of quality improvement, peer evaluation, professional and staff meetings, and federal and state rules and regulations to ensure quality clinical standards are maintained at the facility.
  • Provides adequate and timely patient medical records to facilitate appropriate continuity of care, confidentiality of client information, and compliance with medical reporting standards; and to facilitate accurate and timely billing of services.
  • Adheres to the highest standards of medical practice, ethics, and professionalism at all times.
  • Adheres to quality assessment guidelines, CLIA, OSHA or other regulations as federally mandated or as set forth by standards of practice of the health center.
  • Recommends purchase of supplies and equipment (outside of the regular operating budget) to the Chief Medical Officer.
  • Develops and observes policies, procedures, and protocols to achieve the health centers’ goals and objectives.
  • Recommend changes in staffing, services, facilities, scheduling or patient flow (i.e. practice management) to the Chief Medical Officer.
  • Responsible for directing and supervising the clinical staff as appropriate.
  • Maintains organized, complete medical records with regard to content appropriateness and confidentiality. Assists in the evaluation of medical record QA and outcomes measures.
  • Maintains the office hours of the center and must abide by the health center’s policies and procedures.
  • Participates in provider staff, clinical staff, and general staff meetings.
  • Shares responsibility of the teaching and training of Health Science students, residents, and other health care professionals.
  • Assists CMO in the establishing of medical policies, quality improvement procedures and evaluating current practice protocols.
  • Maintains certifications which strengthen physician ability to provide quality care (i.e. ACLS, APLS, NRC, etc.)
  • Accepts clinical responsibilities/duties assigned or requested by the Chief Medical Officer.
  • Maintains certifications which strengthen physician ability to provide quality care (i.e. ACLS, APLS, NRC, etc.)
  • Maintains an affiliation with professional groups, medical associations, and medical organizations, per policies and as requested by CMO.
  • Represents the health center in the community through involvement in community activities, which support the mission and philosophy of the health center including hospital medical staff.
  • Participates in marketing self and the health center to the community as a way of attracting new patients to the practice.
  • Directs patient care, evaluation, and management in the field of family medicine, internal medicine, or pediatrics.
  • Completes chart documentation and billing within 48 hours of the encounter.
  • Documents applicable patient data in the EMR, in order to capture and report accurate health center medical and prenatal care outcomes.
  • Ensures protection of confidential health information of health center patients.
  • Abides by the health center’s Code of Ethics.
  • Scores 90% or more on patient satisfaction surveys.

Description of OB Duties, only if applicable – Should the health center establish OB services:

• • Assists in the responsibility of on-call and hospital duty for the practice and participates in hospital activities and professional program development.
  • Evaluates and appropriately refers high risk pregnant patients when applicable.
  • Receives and responds promptly to calls and electronic notices from health center staff about clinical needs of pregnant health center patients, which will occur mostly when beyond the scope of care of the health center family physicians.
  • Shares “on-call” duties on a rotating basis with the other OB providers employed or contracted with the health center, to ensure appropriate coverage for care of pregnant health center patients.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  Supervises midlevel providers and nursing staff as appropriate.

Physical Demands 

Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination. Considerable physical activity. Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects up to 50 pounds. Physical work is a primary part (more than 70%) of the job.  Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range. Reasonable accommodations are provided according to the American Disabilities Act.

Working Conditions 

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• Requires standing and walking for prolonged periods of time.
• Potential for working under stressful conditions and working irregular hours.
• Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.
• Exposure to a variety of working environments.    
• Risk of exposure to communicable diseases or bodily fluids.
• Requires Health Care Worker Vaccinations including mandatory influenza and COVID-19 vaccination.

Qualifications & Education Requirement

• Must be eligible to work in the US.
• Must be a graduate of an accredited medical school.
• Must meet annual continuing medical education (CME) requirements and report these assurances to the Chief Medical Officer.
• Must have a valid Commonwealth of Virginia medical license.
• Must be Board Certified or Board eligible in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, etc. If Board eligible, must meet certification requirements within one (1) year of completing residency training program.
• Must adhere to guidelines for meeting re-certification requirements for area of practice.
• Must maintain current DEA certification.
• Must maintain current licensures and certifications and provide copies for personnel file.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills required.
• Ability to maintain appropriate clinical privileges required.
• FTCA coverage or private professional malpractice insurance obtainable.

Bilingual skills are preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities 

• Demonstrated ability to be a team player.
• Strong track record of positive peer, physician, patient, and administrative relationships.
• Possess cultural sensitivity and competence.
• Requires excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Well organized and able to handle conflicts and crisis in a professional manner.

Ability to maintain complete confidentiality.

About Northern Virginia Community Health Center

Virginia Community Healthcare Association (VCHA) is a non-profit membership organization that serves as the primary care association for Virginia’s thirty community health centers and look-alike health centers. Membership in VCHA is open to all Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alikes operating delivery sites in Virginia. VCHA supports our health centers in their mission to provide access to health care regardless of geographic location or ability to pay.

Connections working at Northern Virginia Community Health Center