Staff Physician/Orthopedic Surgery

Job description

Summary

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 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

Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), (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) deemed appropriate by the local Medical Staff Executive Committee

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; they have a scope of practice that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision

Additional Requirement: Must be eligible for faculty appointment with Washington University, the established academic affiliate partner of the VA St. Louis Health Care System

Proficiency in spoken and written English

Preferred Experience: Board Certified or Board Eligible in Orthopedic Surgery

Fellowship training in a recognized subspecialty such as Shoulder & Elbow, Sports Medicine, Orthopedic Trauma, or Adult Hip & Knee

Consistent operative experience within the past three years, including proficiency in general orthopedic surgical procedures, minimally invasive and image‑guided procedures

Demonstrated ability to manage comprehensive orthopedic care across outpatient, inpatient, and operative settings

Experience in multidisciplinary care coordination, including collaboration with primary care, rehabilitation, and ancillary services

Prior involvement in resident and medical student education with familiarity with ACGME requirements

Physical Requirements: More information can be found in VA Handbook 5019

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit

Duties

Provide comprehensive total rewards package including competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases, 50‑55 days of paid time off per year, traditional federal pension, federal 401K with up to 5% VA contribution, federal health and insurance benefits

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus) and authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment) – former EDRP participants are ineligible for the incentive

Contact – EDRP Coordinator for questions and assistance

Provide surgical care as a Board Certified or Board Eligible Orthopedic Surgeon to join the VA St. Louis Surgical Service; deliver high‑quality veteran‑centered orthopedic surgical care and perform fellowship‑trained subspecialty procedures such as shoulder & elbow repair, sports medicine, orthopedic trauma, and adult hip & knee

Clinical Responsibilities: Outpatient care – conduct comprehensive evaluations, new consultations, pre‑operative assessments, and post‑operative follow-ups; develop individualized treatment plans in collaboration with patients and referring providers; inpatient care – provide consultations, manage admissions including pre‑ and post‑operative care; participate in multidisciplinary rounds and coordinate care with hospitalists, rehabilitation, nursing, and ancillary services; ensure continuity during transitions between inpatient and outpatient settings

Operative Care: Perform a full range of orthopedic surgical procedures within the scope of the subspecialty; maintain proficiency in advanced techniques, including minimally invasive, image‑guided, and robotic‑assisted procedures; participate in the development and implementation of robotic surgery protocols and integration of robotic technology into patient care

Care Coordination: Collaborate with primary care, physical therapy, prosthetics, pain management, and other specialties to ensure integrated veteran‑centered care; participate in multidisciplinary case conferences and surgical planning meetings; facilitate timely communication with referring providers and ensure appropriate handoffs

Educational Responsibilities: Supervise and mentor orthopedic surgery residents and medical students in both clinical and operative settings; ensure compliance with ACGME and affiliate training program requirements; serve as the primary liaison between the VA Orthopedic Surgery Section and the Washington University Orthopedic Residency Program; coordinate resident schedules, clinical rotations, and operative assignments; provide high‑quality teaching and mentorship; contribute to academic program development

Administrative Responsibilities: Participate in Surgical Service meetings, peer review, and quality improvement initiatives; collaborate with nursing leadership, OR managers, and APP supervisors to improve workflows and patient outcomes; ensure timely and accurate documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR)

Collaborating Physician and Clinical Oversight: Serve as the designated collaborating physician for Physician Assistants (PAs) assigned to the orthopaedic surgery section; review and co‑sign PA documentation as required by VA policy and state licensing regulations

Research and Development: Support or participate in clinical research initiatives aligned with orthopedic innovation and veteran care; promote scholarly activity including publications, presentations, and quality improvement projects

Dimensions of Practice: Veteran‑Centered Care – prioritize the needs, preferences, and values of Veterans; Clinical Competence – demonstrate mastery in orthopedic surgical techniques and evidence‑based practice; Educational Competence – provide high‑quality teaching and mentorship; contribute to academic program development

Work Schedule: Full‑time tour of duty; actual tour to be negotiated upon selection

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Worksite address

st. louis, MO, 63146, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.