Staff Physician - Orthopedic

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. 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 the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physicians in VA 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 of the occupation.

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Degree: Doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed.
• License: Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in 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.
  • Residencies approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) in the list published 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 in the United States.
  • Non-U.S. residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States, performing duties related to the position, which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems appropriate.
• Exceptions: Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs who meet the basic requirements may be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs) on an intermittent basis. PRPs must be fully licensed and are not considered independent practitioners. Surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs. In rare circumstances, the Facility Director may request exceptions to the residency training requirement.
• Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Preferred Experience: Board Certified.

Physical Requirements

• Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Walking (3 hours per day)
• Standing (6 hours per day)
• Kneeling (2 hours per day)
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive Orthopedic care services, including follow-up care of existing conditions and management of emergency conditions.
• Provide pre-operative and post-operative Orthopedic services, including hospital rounds.
• Perform Orthopedic surgery in the Operating Room and minor surgery room.
• Conduct weekly outpatient and inpatient clinics.
• Provide non-operative Orthopedic hospital rounds for Orthopedic patients.
• Document services through appropriate notes, such as History and Physical, Progress notes, Operative notes, and Discharge Summaries.
• Critique Morbidity and Mortality information and documentation.
• Alternate on-call coverage with other VAMC Staff Orthopedists.
• Educate physicians, staff, residents, and students in the principles and therapy of complex and basic Orthopedic Services/Surgery.
• Participate in clinical research protocols, either developed locally or as part of multi-center studies.
• Assist residents and students in selecting, developing, and preparing abstracts for presentation at meetings.
• Perform administrative duties involved in the proper functioning of the Orthopedic Section.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Student loan repayment up to $200,000.
• Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and 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, and possible 5 days paid absence for CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions by VA.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance (many programs can be carried into retirement).
• Licensure: 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.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM, may include on-call coverage.