Physician - Anesthesiology

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 350,000 - 450,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Pension plan

401(k)

Life and long-term care insurance

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Denver, Colorado seeks a physician anesthesiologist to provide anesthesia services for inpatients and outpatients at ECHCS. The role includes supervising residents and CRNAs, preparing perioperative plans, and ensuring patient safety.

Candidates must hold an MD/DO with uninterrupted licensure in the U.S., complete anesthesiology residency, and board certification. The position supports teaching responsibilities with opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship and licensure to practice medicine in the U.S.
• MD/DO degree from an approved school.
• Current full and unrestricted medical license in the U.S.
• Completion of accredited anesthesiology residency.
• Board certification in anesthesiology (or eligible for faculty status in academic settings).

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical anesthesia services to eligible veterans at ECHCS in Denver, CO for inpatients and outpatients.
• Administer anesthesia care solo or supervise residents and CRNAs.
• Examine patients before/after anesthesia and write orders; manage induction and perioperative care.
• Supervise trainees and ensure compliance with medical direction criteria.
• Contribute to teaching and academic activities within the Department of Anesthesiology.

Skills

English proficiency

Clinical decision making

Patient care

Education

MD/DO degree

Residency in anesthesiology (ACGME/AOA)

Board certification

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, including award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years), is 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 (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but cannot be hired until all requirements are met. Physicians currently employed by 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 in allopathic or osteopathic medicine.
• The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools 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, 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.
• VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status. Approved residencies are:
  • ACGME or AOA accredited core specialty training programs listed for the year the residency or fellowship was completed.
  • One year of post‑medical‑school training (first year of residency or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of independent practice in the U.S. under a full and unrestricted license.
  • Non‑U.S. residency training followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the U.S. under a full and unrestricted license, performing duties related to the position (U.S. fellowships would be creditable).
• Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs who would otherwise meet the basic requirements are eligible to be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners, will not be privileged, and operate under a scope of practice that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision.
• In rare circumstances, the Facility Director may submit a memo to the VISN Director for approval for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Board certification (additional requirement). For more information, visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
• Physical requirements: Evaluation of physical, cognitive, and emotional fitness prior to appointment.
• This is a designated drug testing position. After appointment, you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• Candidates must interact with patients and health care personnel in a caring and professional manner.
• The candidate must tolerate physically taxing workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, and display flexibility.

Duties

• Provide clinical anesthesia services to eligible veterans at ECHCS in Denver, CO – for both inpatients and outpatients.
• Interact with veterans, families, significant others, community agencies, and other staff.
• Assist the Chief – Anesthesiology Service in carrying out the mission of the Service.
• Administer anesthesia care alone or supervise physicians in training (residents) or certified registered nurse anesthetists.
• When working alone, examine the patient before and after anesthesia, write pre‑ and post‑anesthesia orders, confirm readiness for induction, manage the anesthetic period, and follow the patient if appropriate.
• When supervising trainees, demonstrate sufficient personal and identifiable medical services to exercise full personal control over anesthetic care.
• When supervising trainees, meet the following minimum requirements:
  • Review the patient's history, examination, and test record.
  • Personally examine the patient.
  • Confirm or revise the treatment plan.
  • Perform or supervise anesthesia services as needed.
  • Be recognized by the patient as his/her attending anesthesiologist.
• When supervising CRNAs, meet medical‑direction criteria.
  • Evaluate pre‑anesthetic examinations and evaluations.
  • Prescribe the anesthesia plan.
  • Participate personally or be immediately available for the most demanding procedures, including induction and emergence.
  • Ensure that any procedures you do not perform are handled by a qualified individual.
  • Monitor anesthesia administration at frequent intervals.
  • Remain physically present for immediate diagnosis and treatment of emergencies.
  • Provide indicated post‑anesthesia care.
• Perform anesthesia services in the operating room, radiology, and special procedure areas as required.
• Limit anesthesia administration to areas where it can be given safely, except in specific emergency situations.
• Contribute to teaching needs of the Department of Anesthesiology as a faculty member of the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Duties include preparing and delivering lectures, precepting, and providing one‑on‑one instruction.
• Contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the specialty through clinical and/or laboratory research.
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including: competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases; paid time off (50‑55 days per year, including 26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and up to 5 days paid absence for CME); traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting); federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution; federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care insurance.
• License: 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.
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.
• Work schedule: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.