ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off: 50‑55 days per year

Retirement: traditional federal pension and 401(k)

Malpractice protection

Competitive salary with bonuses

Health, vision, dental coverage

Job summary

A government health agency in Columbia Township is looking for an orthopedic surgeon to deliver specialized care to Veteran patients. Candidates must possess a Doctor of Medicine degree, an unrestricted U.S. medical license, and complete residency training. The role involves performing surgeries, managing orthopedic programs, and teaching medical professionals. Competitive salary, benefits including paid time off and retirement plans, and no employment contract restrictions are offered.

Qualifications

• United States citizenship required.
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. State.
• Completion of accredited residency training.
• Physical requirements include lifting up to 10 lb., sitting, standing, and operating machinery.

Responsibilities

• Deliver orthopedic care to Veteran patients.
• Manage aspects of a general orthopedic program.
• Conduct major and minor orthopedic surgeries.
• Provide pre‑ and post‑operative care.
• Teach medical students and residents.
• Participate in on‑call coverage for nights and weekends.

Skills

Proficiency in spoken and written English

Board‑eligible orthopedic surgery

Education

Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree

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 completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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 obtained from an approved school for the year the course was completed
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. State, Territory, 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 (including ACGME‑approved, AOA‑approved, or other residencies followed by a minimum of five years of verified U.S. practice)
• Physician Residents on Training Programs (PRPs) may be appointed on an intermittent or fee‑basis; PRPs must be fully licensed physicians and not considered independent practitioners – they will have a scope of practice that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred: Board‑eligible orthopedic surgeons (see VA Qualification Standards for more information)
• Physical requirements include intermittent lifting up to 10 lb., sitting, standing, walking, bending/stooping, twisting, simple grasping, fine manipulation, reaching above the shoulder, and operating machinery.

Duties

• Deliver the best possible orthopedic care to Veteran patients.
• Participate in or manage aspects of a general orthopedic program, including clinical, administrative, and academic components.
• Carry out a broad range of orthopedic surgical practices, encompassing all areas of major joint reconstructive services.
• Perform surgery and provide pre‑operative and post‑operative care as indicated for major and minor procedures, as well as orthopedic consultation for inpatients and outpatients.
• Maintain good diagnostic, judgmental, and therapeutic acumen.
• Document clinical encounters promptly in accordance with facility policy.
• Serve as a leader or active member on Medical Center committees as requested.
• Teach colleagues, residents, medical and nursing students, and other ancillary staff.
• Participate in a shared rotation of night and weekend on‑call coverage.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with annual performance bonus and regular salary increases.
• Paid time off: 50‑55 days per year, including 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and up to 5 days for CME.
• Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % employer contribution.
• Health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care coverage (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
• Malpractice protection with tail coverage.
• Contract: no physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.
• Schedule: Monday–Friday (regular workdays).
• Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus) and EDRP authorization (student loan repayment).