Physician - Orthopedic Surgeon

Summary

VA Central California Health Care System is currently seeking a full‑time Physician – Orthopedic Surgeon. The incumbent reports to the Service Chief of the Surgical Service team. This position is critical to the VA's mission to provide high‑quality, veteran‑centered care.

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 an equivalent degree from an allopathic or osteopathic program
• Degree obtained from a school approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year the course was completed
• Full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia
• Residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program leading to board‑certification eligibility
• Approved residencies are: (1) those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education – the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) – in the list published for the year the residency (or fellowship) was completed
• OR (2) one year of post‑medical school training (internship, first year of residency, or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post‑training independent practice under a full and unrestricted license in the United States
• OR (3) non‑U.S. residency training followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States, performing duties related to the position (U.S. fellowships are creditable)
• Exceptions: Residents in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs who otherwise meet the basic requirements can 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
• PRPs are not independent practitioners and will not be privileged
• PRPs have a scope of practice that allows certain restricted duties under supervision
• Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs
• In rare and unusual circumstances, the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer who may approve reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for physicians whose record warrants it
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Additional Requirement: Board Certified or Board Eligible in Orthopedic Surgery
• Preferred Experience: 1–3 years of recent surgical experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard visit
• Physical Requirements: Applicants must meet physical standards for the position; a physical examination prior to placement is required; this is a designated drug testing position; after appointment you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use; requires lifting 15–44 pounds; pushing (approx 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers and both hands; walking and standing from 3–5 hours and kneeling; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; hearing aid is permitted.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 25th, 2026. The initial cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications will be July 20th, 2026 – with subsequent cut‑off dates every 2 weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
• VHA Physician Total Rewards – Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus); Authorized Work Schedule: Monday–Friday – 7:30 am–4:00 pm; Pay: Competitive salary – annual performance bonus – regular salary increases; Paid Time Off: 50–55 days per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays per year and possible 5 days paid absence for CME); Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) 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 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.
• The Orthopedic Surgeon is a specialty professional in the care of musculoskeletal conditions.
• The Orthopedic Surgeon will evaluate and treat patients for any disease that requires orthopedic diagnosis and/or medical/surgical intervention to achieve palliation or cure.
• The Orthopedic Surgeon will provide consultation and care for our patients in the Department of Surgery.
• The Orthopedic Surgeon will have assigned OR time and clinic time.
• Surgical Department strives to maintain a safe working environment – in which we identify and address issues and concerns that relate to safety and well‑being within the Surgical Service Section.
• The Orthopedic Surgeon will provide direct patient care in outpatient clinic, inpatient setting, operating room, Emergency department and other locations as deemed necessary by Chief of Surgery or Facility leadership.
• Major duties include – but are not limited to: Administrative duties designated by the Chief of Surgery; duties involving preventative medicine, emergency preparedness, Joint Commission and other internal and external health systems requirements deemed by the Chief of Surgery.
• Supervision and training of Surgical Residents, other trainees, and physician extenders.
• Provide fair and equitable on‑call services during daytime, after‑hours, weekends, and holidays based on a mutually agreed upon and pre‑determined schedule.
• Supervise staff such as Advanced Practice Providers – RNs – and LVNs in clinical situations.
• Other duties as assigned.