Duties

Summary

The incumbent serves as a Section Chief, Orthopedic Surgery under the immediate supervision of the Chief, Surgical Care Service Line. He/she will maintain licensure and credentials sufficient to extend to the incumbent the authority to practice orthopedics inclusive of all diagnostic and medical therapeutic modalities for the treatment of diseases, conditions and injuries related to the field of Orthopedic Surgery.

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Responsibilities

Specific Functions of assigned duties:

Provide comprehensive orthopedic care services as well as follow-up care of existing conditions and management of emergency conditions.

Provide Pre-Operative and Post-Operative Orthopedic Services, including hospital rounds, for orthopedic patients.

Perform Orthopedic Surgery in the Operating Room, averaging one to five (1-5) cases per day based on complexity.

Conduct weekly outpatient and inpatient clinics, averaging twenty to twenty-five (20-25) patients per day.

Provide non-operative orthopedic hospital rounds for orthopedic patients.

Document services within the computerized database 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 Orthopedic Surgeon(s).

Educate residents and students in the principles and therapy of complex and basic Orthopedic Surgery.

Participate in clinical research protocols either developed locally in cooperation with other faculty or developed at other institutions for multi-center studies.

Assist residents and students in selecting, developing and preparing abstracts for presentation at meetings.

Perform the administrative duties involved in the proper functioning of the Chief, Orthopedic Section. These will include but are not limited to:

Supervising the Orthopedic Surgeons and Physician Assistant

Developing and reviewing policies for the Orthopedic Section

Ensuring that JCAHO, Safety, AAMI, OSHA, VA and other agency regulations are being met.

Ensuring continuing education of staff under his/her supervision.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

As Section Chief, Orthopedic Surgery, in performance of official duties, the employee shall have regular access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive data, which shall be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), and other applicable laws, Federal Regulations, Veterans Affairs statutes and policies. The employee is responsible for protecting that data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion, and for following all applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in a computer access agreement which the employee signs. The incumbent will also have access to employee competency and other folders in order to maintain supervisory control of employees.

CUSTOMER SERVICE REQUIREMENT

Incumbent must meet the needs of customers while supporting VA missions; consistently communicate and treat customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner; provide customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures; and handle conflict and problems in dealing with customers constructively and appropriately.

AGE, DEVELOPMENT, AND CULTURAL NEEDS OF PATIENTS REQUIREMENT
Incumbent has the responsibility of taking care of orthopedic diseases of all adult patients, including geriatric. All available diagnostic and medical therapeutic modalities for the treatment of orthopedic diseases, conditions and injuries related to the field of Orthopedic Surgery are handled, within the guidelines of the VA surgical matrix

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 08:00AM- 4:30PM; however, subject to change, depending on the needs of the service/medical center.
Relocation incentive: Not authorized
Recruitment incentive: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station-(PCS): Not authorized
Education Debt Reduction Program-(EDRP): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Designated and/or random drug testing required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination
• The physician must possess and maintain current BLS and ACLS certifications.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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 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.
• 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. (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR
  [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR
  (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences.
  Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e., not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee-basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather, they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Preferred qualiication: Board certified/eligible in orthopedic surgery

Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: The physician should be physically and mentally capable to perform the duties of the position including examinations, formulate the diagnosis and treatment plan and educate residents. Physical activities include sitting, standing (up to 4 hours) walking (up to 2 hours), heavy lifting (45 pounds or over), reaching above the shoulder, and repeated bending. The incumbent should be emotionally and mentally stable; and capable to perform the duties of the position.

Education

Degree of 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 an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are:

Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted, or

Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association for the year in which the degree was granted.

For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, facility officials must verify with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) that the applicant has met requirements for certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. [If the applicant does not claim an ECFMG certificate, facility officials must still confirm that the medical school meets (or met) ECFMG eligibility requirements for the year the candidate graduated.]

NOTE: The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.

Additional information

• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
• It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
• This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
• VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
• Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
• Financial Disclosure Report:Not required
• If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or other supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a C.V. and/or resume. Other documents may be requested later in the process if needed.