Physician (Chief Anesthesiologist)

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)—a student loan payment reimbursement program. Eligible candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Award amount is up to $200,000 and eligibility period ranges from one to five years, determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the 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 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.

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 in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from a VA‑approved school.
• Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, 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.
• (NOTE: VA physicians in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Programs approved by ACGME or AOA in the year the residency or fellowship was completed; (2) One year of post‑medical school training (internship or first year of residency) followed by two years of independent practice; (3) Non‑U.S. residency training followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the U.S.
• Exceptions: Residents currently enrolled in accredited residency programs and who meet the basic requirements are eligible to be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis. They are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; they perform certain restricted duties under supervision.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Additional Requirement: Qualified candidates must be Board Eligible or Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology.
• Preferred Experience: Experience in the range of cases performed at this facility is preferred.
• This position involves teaching of residents from the University of New Mexico.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
• VHA Physician Total Rewards.
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Highly qualified individuals may be eligible for a recruitment/relocation incentive in accordance with agency policy.
• To receive consideration for an incentive, the selectee must be among the best qualified and meet the criteria established in the VA Handbook 5007 Part VI, Chapter 2.
• Service agreement required.
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): This position is eligible for the EDRP. Candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an application within four months of appointment. Award amount is up to $200,000 and eligibility period is one to five years, determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office.
• Learn more.
• EDRP Authorized: Former participants are ineligible to apply for incentive.
• Contact – the EDRP Coordinator for questions or assistance.
• Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• Paid Time Off: 50‑55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, and a possible 5‑day paid absence for CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % 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.
• Major responsibilities and duties include: Provide leadership with significant responsibility and accountability for all clinical and administrative operations associated with anesthesia services at NMVAHCS.
• Oversee service and program operations—including delivery of care and administrative functions across operating‑room and non‑operating‑room anesthesia locations.
• Coordinate with all licensed independent providers—including physicians and CRNAs—to ensure safe, high‑quality anesthetic care for Veterans.
• Collaborate with clinical services, interdisciplinary leaders, and executive management to support integrated perioperative care and operational effectiveness.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with medical‑center personnel, patients, families, and community stakeholders.
• Direct perioperative care services—including preoperative optimization, intraoperative clinical pathways, postoperative management, surgical intensive‑care participation, and acute and chronic pain management.
• Work collaboratively with CRNAs.
• Supervise residents, medical students, and SRNAs while supporting their transition to privileged practitioners and promoting a collegial team environment.
• Serve as an administrator, educator, and consultant while supporting academic responsibilities and potential faculty appointment with the University of New Mexico.
• Deliver anesthesia care independently and through supervision for a wide range of procedures including cardiac‑vascular, general surgery, orthopedics, ENT, urology, and expanding non‑OR anesthetic services.
• Participate in rotating evening, weekend, and holiday on‑call coverage while supporting the mission to provide excellent and safe anesthetic care to the nation's Veterans.
• Perform other duties as appropriately assigned.
• Work schedule: Monday‑Friday, 6:30 am‑3:00 pm, with rotating on‑call responsibilities during evenings, weekends, and holidays.