1

Lead Physician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Title Lead Physician (Hospitalists) Summary Full-Time Hospitalist - Lead Physician VHC Health - Arlington, Virginia Position Overview VHC Health is seeking a Full-Time Hospitalist, Lead ...

Lead Physician NEW! Leadership/Coastal Lifestyle/Career Growth! Are you an experienced physician ready to take the next step into leadership? We're seeking a dynamic and collaborative Lead Physician ...

... Care Physician to serve as the lead for Nurse Practitioners over Great Falls, Missoula, and Billings clinics. An ideal candidate is a leader who works well in a collaborative environment and who ...

... Care Physician to serve as the lead for Nurse Practitioners over Great Falls, Missoula, and Billings clinics. An ideal candidate is a leader who works well in a collaborative environment and who ...

Overview Full-Time Hospitalist - Lead Physician VHC Health - Arlington, Virginia Position Overview VHC Health is seeking a Full-Time Hospitalist, Lead Physician to join the VHC Health Medical Group ...

Full-Time Hospitalist - Lead Physician VHC Health - Arlington, Virginia Position Overview VHC Health is seeking a Full-Time Hospitalist, Lead Physician to join the VHC Health Medical Group, a highly ...

Lead Physician Position Type:Professional / Unclassified Department:LSUAM AA - SA - H&WB - SHC - Medical and Ancillary Services (Amy R Ordeneaux (00007157)) Work Location:Student Health Center (C&l ...

Lead Physician Position Type:Professional / Unclassified Department:LSUAM AA - SA - H&WB - SHC - Medical and Ancillary Services (Amy R Ordeneaux (00007157)) Work Location:Student Health Center (C&l ...

Full-Time Hospitalist - Lead Physician VHC Health - Arlington, Virginia Position Overview VHC Health is seeking a Full-Time Hospitalist, Lead Physician to join the VHC Health Medical Group, a highly ...

... Care Physician to serve as the lead for Nurse Practitioners over Great Falls, Missoula, and Billings clinics. An ideal candidate is a leader who works well in a collaborative environment and who ...

Lead Physician Position Type:Professional / Unclassified Department:LSUAM AA - SA - H&WB - SHC - Medical and Ancillary Services (Amy R Ordeneaux (00007157)) Work Location:Student Health Center (C&l ...

Position Title Lead Physician (Hospitalists) Purpose & Scope: The Physician is a member of the healthcare team who works in collaboration with other staff to provide comprehensive healthcare services ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Lead Physician information

See salary details

$10

$25

$72

How much do lead physician jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead physician in the United States is $25.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lead physician?

A Lead Physician is a senior medical doctor who oversees clinical operations, manages other physicians, and ensures high standards of patient care within a healthcare facility or department. They typically coordinate medical services, implement policies, and provide guidance on complex cases. Lead Physicians also play a key role in hiring and training staff, maintaining compliance with healthcare regulations, and often serve as liaisons between medical staff and administration.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead physician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Physician, you need extensive clinical expertise, board certification in your specialty, and proven leadership experience in healthcare settings. Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems, quality improvement tools, and relevant healthcare regulations is essential. Outstanding communication, decision-making, and team management skills help Lead Physicians foster effective collaboration and guide clinical teams. These competencies are vital to ensure high standards of patient care, operational efficiency, and successful team leadership in medical environments.

What are some common challenges lead physicians face in balancing clinical duties with administrative responsibilities?

Lead Physicians often juggle patient care with significant management duties, such as overseeing medical staff, developing protocols, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Balancing these responsibilities can be challenging, as both require attention to detail and strong organizational skills. Effective time management and delegation are essential to maintain high standards of patient care while also fulfilling leadership obligations. Many Lead Physicians find that clear communication and a collaborative approach with their teams help navigate these challenges successfully.

What is the difference between Lead Physician vs Attending Physician?

AspectLead PhysicianAttending Physician
CredentialsMedical degree, board certification, leadership experienceMedical degree, board certification
Work EnvironmentLeadership role overseeing teams, administrative dutiesDirect patient care, supervising residents and fellows
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, clinics, healthcare organizations with leadership structuresHospitals, academic medical centers, teaching hospitals
Common Search & ComparisonLeadership, administrative responsibilities, senior clinical roleClinical duties, teaching, direct patient care

The main difference between a Lead Physician and an Attending Physician is that the Lead Physician holds a leadership role with administrative responsibilities, overseeing medical teams and operations, while the Attending Physician primarily focuses on direct patient care and supervising residents. Both roles require similar medical credentials, but the Lead Physician combines clinical expertise with leadership duties within healthcare organizations.

More about Lead Physician jobs

Who are the top companies hiring for Lead Physician jobs?

The top employers for Lead Physician jobs are:

Infographic showing various Lead Physician job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,524 per year, or $25.7 per hour.

Lead Physician (Hospitalists)

VHC Health

Arlington, VA • On-site

$250K - $552K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago


VHC Health rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 34 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

86th of 895 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Position Title
Lead Physician (Hospitalists)
Job Description Summary
Full-Time Hospitalist - Lead Physician
VHC Health - Arlington, Virginia
Position Overview
VHC Health is seeking a Full-Time Hospitalist, Lead Physician to join the VHC Health Medical Group, a highly respected, employee-based, multispecialty physician organization. This role offers the opportunity to practice high-quality inpatient medicine in a collaborative, patient-centered environment while enjoying the stability and benefits of hospital employment.
As a Hospitalist at VHC Health, you will be an integral member of an experienced care team dedicated to delivering safe, timely, and evidence-based care to adult inpatients.
Key Responsibilities
• Provide high-quality inpatient medical care to patients admitted to VHC Health
• Collaborate closely with nursing staff, specialists, care managers, and ancillary services
• Support quality improvement initiatives, patient safety standards, and compliance programs
• Participate in risk management and performance improvement activities
• Practice within the scope defined by VHC Health's credentialing and privileging process
• Contribute to a professional, collegial, and team-oriented clinical environment
Job Description
Purpose & Scope:
The Physician is a member of the healthcare team who works in collaboration with other staff to provide comprehensive healthcare services to patients. The physician is the lead of the patient's care team within their Practice(s). The scope of practice of each physician is defined through the health system's credentialing and privileging committee.
The Lead Physician supports objectives, budget and performance metrics at the Practice level.
Directs and coordinates all medical activities within the Practice including implementation of quality control standards, risk management and compliance programs. Handling clinical issues at practice level - PTO issues, clinical grievances, schedules, etc.
The role of a physician is to provide quality clinical care to those individuals who have chosen VHC Health in a timely manner to meet the needs of our patients.
Education:
Doctorate from an accredited medical school is required.
Experience:
One year of medical/surgical experience is required.
Certification/Licensure:
Licensed to Practice Medicine by the Virginia Department of Health Professions required.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
  • Washington Commanders selected VHC Health as its women's health partner because of the health system's continued commitment to advancing women's health, reducing the stigma of mental health, and creating greater access to care in the Washington, DC metro region.
  • Received a top ranking in Newsweek's World's Best Hospitals for the fourth year in a row. Ranking over 2,800 hospitals in 28 countries, this study asked 85,000 medical experts across the world to participate in an online survey covering topics such as recommendation of hospital, satisfaction of patient care, quality of care for specific treatments, among other factors.
  • Recognized by the Women's Choice Award for Best Hospital in eight categories: bariatric surgery, obstetrics, heart care, minimally invasive surgery, orthopedics, cancer care, comprehensive breast care, women's services, mammogram and patient experience. This award is graded based on the best publicly available information, patient surveys and accreditation information, and the Women's Choice Award delivers a simplified, objective ranking to each category.
  • Named a 2023 Best Cancer Hospital by Newsweek. One of 175 hospitals and just three in the Washington, DC metro region to be included in the rankings.
  • Named best hospital for billing ethics by Money magazine and The Leapfrog Group. This is the first-ever Leapfrog Best Hospitals ranking to help patients make educated decisions about which institutions are best for the money.

OUR COMMUNITY
  • Living in Northern Virginia, one of the best places to live near D.C., you can have it all: a lucrative job at a forward-thinking company - plus access to the country's greatest historical sites, a bustling café culture, active nightlife and concert going, a thriving wine region, seven professional sports teams, and a mild four-season climate with year-round kayaking, biking, and hiking. We offer some of the best public and private schools in the nation and access to 60 colleges and universities. In fact, we are the most educated region in the country. Here, there are no compromises. NOVA is one of the best places to live and work in the country.
  • Arlington is home to the Pentagon, and the Arlington National Cemetery.
  • Home to more than 100 U.S. and global corporate headquarters, including the 6th highest number of Fortune 500 companies.
  • Northern Virginia is one of the fastest growing and most diverse communities in the United States
  • Fairfax County has many of the highest ranking schools in the nation according to U.S. News and World Reports.
  • Arlington County also offers outstanding schools - about 94 percent of all graduating high school seniors in Arlington go on to attend college.
  • Two major airports with direct flights to 109 domestic and 60 international destinations.
  • Northern Virginia has many recreational and community amenities including: over 89 miles of biking/jogging trails, 167 public parks, approximately 14 community centers, 7 live stage theaters, 8 libraries, and 652 restaurants.
  • Minutes to the Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Museums, Tyson's Corner, and Wolftrap National Park for the Performing Arts
  • Whether you choose to live in Arlington County, Fairfax County, City of Alexandria or in any of the other great areas in the DC area, you will have little problem in finding a location that is right for you.

We look forward to hearing from qualified candidates interested in joining us in a highly collegial environment where the patient is at the center of what we do.
Additional Job Description
Additional Job Description
At VHC Health, every role contributes to exceptional care, better outcomes, and stronger communities.
In addition to your base compensation, VHC Health offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage (subject to eligibility requirements), as well as additional wellness and retirement benefits designed to support our employees and their families.
VHC Health is committed to wage transparency and equitable pay practices. The compensation offered for this position-whether expressed as an annual salary or hourly rate-is determined based on a variety of legitimate, non-discriminatory factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, a candidate's qualifications, relevant training and experience, skill level, shift differentials (where applicable), internal equity, and current market conditions.
The compensation range set forth above is a good-faith estimate of the minimum and maximum hourly rate or annual salary for this position and assumes a 1.0 FTE status. Actual compensation for this position will be determined based on specialty, and the candidate's education, training, skills, experience, certifications, and other relevant qualifications. This range may be adjusted in the future based on business needs or market changes. No portion of compensation is considered earned until it is vested and determined in accordance with the terms of applicable policies and benefit plans. The availability and amount of any bonuses, incentives, or other benefits are subject to the terms of those plans and may be modified at the sole discretion of VHC Health, in accordance with applicable law.
VHC Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions and lactation), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law.
VHC Health maintains a drug-free workplace. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited at all VHC Health locations.

What VHC Health employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom