Orthopedic Surgeon

Orthopedic Surgery is a surgical specialty devoted to the care of the musculoskeletal system which includes the bones, joints, muscles, associated nerves, arteries, and the overlying skin. This position is located in the Surgical Service of the Memphis VAMC and reports directly to the Section Chief of Orthopedics. To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) 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 physician(s) 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. 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. 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: Stand for long periods of time while repeating the same movements or walking. Bending and twisting body to lift, push, and pull lightweight objects. Lift, carry, or move objects weighing up to 15 pounds. Stand for as much as 85% of work time. Reach above shoulder level in order to perform work. Move, adjust, and manipulate a variety of audiology equipment. The ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. ["Duties include, but are not limited to: Use surgical, medical, or physical means to investigate, preserve and restore functions to a patient's extremities. Deal with both primary and secondary musculoskeletal issues of a patient's central nervous system, such as tumors, injuries, degenerative disease, trauma, congenital deformities and infections. Operate on patients to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, or improve or restore patients' functions. Provide medical care by performing physical exams, designing treatment and therapeutic plans, and keeping track of patient progress to determine what needs to be done. Accepting patient referrals from other physicians, reviewing records, planning treatment options, and consulting to other services, as appropriate. Meeting with patients to proceed with specialized testing or further examination of the physical condition that lead to the referral. Examining patients including physical examinations, ordering x-rays, MRI's or other testing sources. Planning specialized after surgery care, coordinating follow up medical support and meeting with patients after surgery to answer questions and monitor recovery. Managing record keeping, patient charts and all required surgical and hospital records as needed. Will assign physician assistants and technicians to specific duties and surgeries and make sure everyone is taking part in helping the department to operate smoothly. Plan a specialized care after the surgery. Will also assist in teaching residents if applicable. Attends hospital committees as assigned Complies with all of the Medical Center's customer service, age-specific, health, safety, confidentiality, and security policies. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, with rotational call. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. 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"]

Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.