CHIEF ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON (PCS AUTHORIZED)

Summary

Join Our Team as the Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at Harry S. Truman VAMC in Columbia, MO. Are you a dedicated orthopedic surgeon passionate about providing exceptional care to our nation's heroes? VAMC in beautiful Columbia, MO - is the place.

Qualifications

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.
• Doctor of medicine or equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in medicine or osteopathic medicine.
• Degree obtained from a school 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 U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth 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 include ACGME‑accredited programs, AOA‑accredited programs, or other non‑U.S. residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States deemed by the local Medical Staff Executive Committee to provide appropriate professional training.
• Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA‑accredited residency training programs 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 and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee‑basis.
• PRPs are not independent practitioners and will not be privileged; they have a scope of practice that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Board certification required.
• Physical requirements: Lifting up to 10 lbs.; sitting (4 hours); standing (2 hours); walking (2 hours); bending/stooping (1 hour); twisting (30 minutes); simple grasping (4 hours); fine manipulation (6 hours); reaching above the shoulder (30 minutes); operating machinery (30 minutes).

Duties

• Chief of Orthopedic Surgery – Scope of Duties: The Section Chief of Orthopedics in the Surgical Service is a member of the interdisciplinary health care team who functions with high complexity and independence, is self‑directing, and displays good judgment and initiative in selecting appropriate procedures and guidelines for each patient.
• Provide leadership and guidance to Orthopedics service staff for the best healthcare needs of the local veteran population.
• Primarily responsible for providing orthopedic care to veterans both clinically and surgically.
• Responsible for resident supervision per VA guidelines.
• Responsible for staffing orthopedic clinics.
• Attendance at staff meetings and participation on committees as assigned.
• Responsible for performing surgical procedures pertaining to orthopedics.
• Responsible for timely medical records— including computer order/entry.
• Responsible for inpatient and outpatient orthopedic services.
• Support the Chief of Surgery and Deputy Chief of Surgery in surgery performance measures.
• Participate in and/or manage aspects of a general orthopedic program, including clinical, administrative, and academic components.
• Participate in and/or manage a broad range of orthopedic surgery practice, encompassing all areas of general orthopedic and musculoskeletal surgery including major joint reconstructive services.
• Perform surgery and provide pre‑op and post‑op care as indicated for major and minor procedures, as well as orthopedic consultation for inpatients and outpatients.
• Work with the interdisciplinary inpatient team to care for patients admitted to the inpatient orthopedic surgery service following procedures/surgeries.
• Maintain good diagnostic, judgmental, and therapeutic acumen.
• Timely documentation (notes and encounter forms) in accordance with facility policy/Bylaws.
• Serve as leader and/or active member on medical center committees as requested.
• Board certification required—given Section Chief role.
• Supervise orthopedic residents, fellows, and other health professional trainees.
• Given teaching responsibilities, incumbent will be considered an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri (academic affiliate).
• Maintain relationship with academic affiliate’s Orthopedic Surgery department.
• Participate in a shared rotation of night and weekend on‑call coverage.

Benefits

• VHA Physician Total Rewards: Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus), Authorized Permanent Change of Station (relocation assistance), authorized pay: competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases.
• Paid time off: 50–55 days 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 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% matching contributions by VA.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many federal insurance 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.
• Work schedule: Monday‑Friday.