Physician - Chief of Microbiology

Department of Veterans Affairs

The Section Chief of Microbiology is part of the key leadership of Lab Medicine Service and is the management official responsible for Microbiology including clinical, administrative, education and research, and applicable performance measures.

• **This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCMENT and will remain open until November 2, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be September 8, 2026, with subsequent cut-off dates every 2 weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.** VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Work Schedule: 8:30am-5:00pm 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 incumbent serves as the Section Chief of Microbiology in Lab Medicine Service at the San Francisco VA Healthcare System (SFVAHSC). The usual duty station is at the SFVA Medical Center (SFVAMC), San Francisco, CA. The major duties of the Chief of Microbiology include, but are not limited to the following: Direct effective and safe operations that are in compliance with standards established by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), The Joint Commission (JC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), etc. Ensure all laboratory operations meet regulatory mandates (success in accreditation inspections) and help maintain laboratory accreditation and certification. Provide clinical consultation on patient care to technical personnel and healthcare providers. Ensures communication and coordination between the laboratory and the clinical services. The Chief should always be available unless on personal leave, at which time he/she will appoint a designee to provide coverage (e.g., Section technical supervisor and/or Clinical Pathologist). Review and approve all new and revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in Microbiology and ensures required periodic SOP reviews are carried out. Ensure accurate test results with turn-around-times (TAT) that meet the reasonable and possible expectations of the medical staff and accrediting agencies, when adequately supported with necessary resources from facility administration and human resource management services. Work and communicate with section technical supervisor/specialists and ensure appropriate testing reagents & supplies. Promote an effective, balanced relationship with academic affiliate(s), VHA business partners (diagnostic industry, vendor, reference lab) and other VHA facilities that result in a joint and mutually advantageous partnership. Participate in the Lab Medicine Quality Management (QM) program, addressing appropriate and practical QM needs as required by accreditation, regulation, internal and external assessments. Teach and supervise residents, fellows, medical students, CLS interns and other healthcare personnel who seek training within the field of pathology and laboratory medicine (P&LM) and clinical laboratory science. Ensures P&LM residency training and CLS internship training goals and objectives are met in the areas of clinical microbiology. Participate in scholarly and creative activities, which may include basic laboratory and/or clinical research, aiming to better serve patients. Service as the Assistant Site Director of UCSF Clinical Pathology Residency and/or Assistant Chief of Lab Medicine Service, etc.

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