Physician - Cardiac Surgeon

About the role

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Eligibility requirements per VHA policy must be met and the EDRP application submitted within four months of appointment. Program approval determines the award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) after review by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed VA physicians 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.

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 allopathic or osteopathic medicine, obtained from a school approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year of study.
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States, or 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. Approved residencies are:
  • Those accredited by the ACGME or AOA for the year the residency (or fellowship) was completed.
  • One year of post‑medical‑school training (internship, first year of residency, or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post‑training independent practice under a full and unrestricted license in the United States.
  • Non‑US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position, deemed appropriate by the local Medical Staff Executive Committee.
• Exceptions: Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency programs who would otherwise meet the basic requirements may be appointed as “Physician Resident Providers” (PRPs) on an intermittent basis, provided they hold a full and unrestricted license. PRPs are not independent practitioners and have a limited scope of practice under supervision. Surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs. In rare circumstances, the Facility Director may request a reasonable exception to the residency training requirement through the VISN Chief Medical Officer and VISN Director.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in adult cardiac surgery following completion of formal cardiac/cardiothoracic surgical training.
• Training or experience in minimally invasive and/or robotic cardiac surgery.
• Training or experience with complex valve surgery.
• Experience with coronary revascularization, including multi‑arterial, off‑pump, and/or minimally invasive coronary techniques.
• Training or experience with surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation and multidisciplinary arrhythmia programs.
• Experience participating in structural heart/TAVR programs.
• Training or experience with temporary mechanical circulatory support such as ECMO and Impella.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in advanced heart failure/LVAD program development.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive surgical care for Veterans with adult acquired cardiac disease in inpatient, outpatient, operating room, and perioperative settings.
• Perform coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repair/replacement, reoperative procedures, and other complex adult cardiac operations consistent with training and granted clinical privileges.
• Participate in development of minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgery capabilities, including minimally invasive coronary and valve procedures, when supported by institutional resources and privileging.
• Participate in multidisciplinary structural heart evaluation and treatment, including TAVR, according to training, experience, and granted privileges.
• Participate in the management of patients requiring temporary mechanical circulatory support, including ECMO and Impella, according to training, experience, and granted privileges.
• Support development or redevelopment of advanced heart failure and mechanical circulatory support capabilities, including LVAD‑related care, as institutional resources and approvals permit.
• Provide timely inpatient and outpatient cardiac surgical consultations and postoperative follow‑up.
• Participate in shared call and clinical coverage responsibilities of the Cardiac Surgery Section.
• Participate in Surgical Service and medical center committees, workgroups, and required meetings.
• Participate in clinical outcomes research, scholarly activity, and innovation consistent with the needs and resources of the service.
• Practice in accordance with VA policies, medical staff bylaws, applicable accreditation standards, and granted privileges.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 50‑55 days of paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, and possible 5‑day paid absence for CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% matching contributions by VA.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
• Licensure: Requires one full and unrestricted license from any U.S. 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.
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: A recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus) may be available for highly qualified applicants.

Pay

Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.

Schedule

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (variable at supervisor discretion).