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.
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 in allopathic or osteopathic medicine obtained from a VA‑approved school.
- Full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
- Residency training: completed an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification, or one of the following:
- One year of post‑medical‑school training (internship or first year of residency) approved by ACGME or AOA, followed by two years of independent practice under a full license in the United States.
- 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 creditable).
- Residents currently enrolled in accredited residency programs and otherwise meeting the basic requirements may be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs) on an intermittent basis under a limited scope of practice.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English.
- Board certification or board eligibility in Orthopedic Surgery.
- Physical requirements: visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, and manual dexterity; ability to walk, stand, stoop, sit, bend, pull, and push for long periods; ability to transfer patients and objects; exposure to infected or potentially combative patients; and ability to perform CPR per ACLS/BLS protocols.
Duties
- This is an open continuous announcement and will remain open until September 14, 2026.
- Initial cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications is July 20, 2026, with subsequent cut‑off dates every 5 days.
- Applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.
- Orthopedic surgeons diagnose musculoskeletal problems, perform or prescribe treatments, and assist with rehabilitation.
- Develop long‑term strategies to treat illnesses, disorders, and issues related to bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
- Prescribe courses of treatment for patients with injuries, disorders, or malformations and perform required surgery.
- Participate in on‑call schedule when assigned in a responsive and timely manner.
- Conduct and supervise direct patient care, including some non‑surgical treatment options.
- Consult and work with radiologists, anesthesiologists, physical therapists, and other medical experts.
- Document all medical information in an electronic medical record.
- Instruct and educate residents.
- Other duties as assigned.
Compensation and Benefits
- Competitive salary with annual performance bonus and regular salary increases.
- Sign‑on bonus as authorized pay.
- Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 A.M.–4:30 P.M., with occasional Saturday clinics or weekday extended‑hour clinics.
- Paid time off: 50–55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays, plus up to 5 days for CME).
- Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contributions.
- Health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care insurance – many federal programs can be carried into retirement.
- Full‑time board‑certified physicians may receive up to $1,000 per year in CME reimbursement.
- Free liability protection with tail coverage provided.
- No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.