Section Chief of  Mental Health – Primary Care Provider
Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (Tucson, AZ)
Empower Change. Lead Innovation. Serve Those Who Served.

Are you an experienced physician leader seeking a mission-driven role at the intersection of medicine and mental health? The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) invites a talented Primary Care Physician to join us as Section Chief of Mental Health Primary Care—a unique opportunity to shape the future of care for our nation’s Veterans in beautiful Tucson, Arizona.

Why Join Our Team?

·         Transformative Leadership:
Step into a pivotal leadership role where you’ll guide a multidisciplinary team dedicated to providing life-changing, integrated primary care to Veterans facing serious mental illness and/or homelessness.

·         Collaboration and Innovation:
Work closely with mental health and primary care professionals in a progressive environment that values collaboration, evidence-based care, and continuous quality improvement.

·         Make a Lasting Difference:
Your expertise will directly influence the health, well-being, and dignity of Veterans—a population with complex and meaningful care needs.

Position Highlights:

·         Leadership & Impact:

o    Serve as Section Chief & Clinic Director for the Mental Health Primary Care section.

o    Directly supervise and mentor a team of 7 interdisciplinary healthcare professionals—cultivating a culture of excellence and compassion.

o    Oversee 4 specialized PACT teams (3 SMI-PACT, 1 H-PACT), championing integrated primary care for Veterans with co-existing mental health diagnoses.

·         Clinical Excellence:

o    Provide high-quality outpatient primary care within an innovative, co-located mental health setting.

o    Advice and consult with colleagues in both primary care and behavioral health—become a recognized leader and resource across the organization.

·         Professional Growth:

o    Shape program development, participate in teaching/mentorship, and affect system-wide best practices.

·         Work-Life Balance:

o    Enjoy a regular daytime schedule: M–F, 7:30am–4:00pm—promoting well-being in and out of the workplace.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

·         Board-certified/eligible in Family or Internal Medicine

·         Active, unrestricted US medical license

·         Demonstrated physician leadership experience

·         Deep commitment to Veteran-centered, team-based care

·         Passion for working with individuals living with mental illness and/or homelessness

·         Excellent interpersonal and teaching skills

Preferred: Mental health experience and interest in advancing integrated care.

Outstanding VA Benefits:

·         Competitive Compensation: $265,000–$290,000/yr, plus annual bonus and regular salary increases

·         Recruitment /Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Approved
Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment Program)

·         Generous Paid-Time Off:
50–55 days annually including 26 vacation days, 13 sick days, 11 federal holidays, and up to 5 days CME leave

·         Comprehensive Federal Benefits:
Retirement pension (5 years vesting) + 401k (VA contributes up to 5%)
Health, vision, dental, life, and long-term care insurance (many benefits carry into retirement)

·         Professional Support:
$1,000/year CME reimbursement, malpractice insurance with tail coverage, and no physician employment contract
No significant restrictions on moonlighting

·         Relocation Assistance Possible

·         Live and Work in Sunny Tucson:
Enjoy an affordable, vibrant city rich in culture, arts, outdoor recreation, and year-round sunshine.

Join Arizona’s flagship VA health system and lead a team at the forefront of caring for America’s heroes.

Ready to make a powerful impact?
Apply today and discover the professional fulfillment and personal growth you seek—while serving those who have served.

·         Board-certified/eligible in Family or Internal Medicine

·         Active, unrestricted US medical license

·         Demonstrated physician leadership experience

·         Deep commitment to Veteran-centered, team-based care

·         Passion for working with individuals living with mental illness and/or homelessness

·         Excellent interpersonal and teaching skills

Preferred: Mental health experience and interest in advancing integrated care.

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About VA Medical Center

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

Connections working at VA Medical Center

https://careers.agpa.org/jobs/22235802/primary-care-provider-as-section-chief-of-mental-health