Physician - Orthopedic Surgeon

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Fort William Henry Harrison (MT); On-site; USD 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP (Education Debt Reduction Program

Sign-on Bonus

Relocation Assistance

Job summary

Fort Harrison Montana VA Medical Center is seeking a Physician Orthopedic Surgeon to join the Surgical Services team. The provider will deliver high‑quality orthopedic care to Veterans, maintain licensure, and participate in resident and student training.

The role emphasizes clinical excellence, collaboration with the ACOS, and adherence to VA policies. Eligible for EDRP and other education debt reduction incentives within a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• MD or DO degree from a school approved by VA for the year completed
• Current full and unrestricted medical license in a U.S. state or territory or D.C.
• Residency completed in an accredited core specialty with board eligibility
• Possible PRP appointment for residents; fully licensed physicians only
• Proficiency in spoken and written English

Responsibilities

• Orthopedic Surgical team reports to the Associate Chief of Staff for Surgical Services
• Maintain professional and technical competencies to deliver high‑quality care
• Perform medical assessments including history, physical, and mental status examinations
• Formulate diagnoses and order necessary tests
• Maintain licensure and CME requirements; participate in training of residents/students
• Ensure proper documentation and handoffs; participate in peer reviews/committees
• Adhere to safety, privacy, and patient care policies; coordinate coverage during absences
• Work schedule Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm

Job description

Summary

The Fort Harrison Montana VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for a Physician Orthopedic Surgery.

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
• Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine 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 State - Territory - or Commonwealth of the United States - or in 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 involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) 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 if applicable - 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 (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States
• OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the Physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences
• Exceptions: Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs)
• PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e. - not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis
• PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged
• rather - they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform 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 requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience - accomplishments - performance - and qualifications warrant such action
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Board Certified Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• The Orthopedic Surgical team is part of the Surgical Services service line - reporting to the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) for Surgical Services
• The staff Orthopedic Surgeon is responsible for maintaining professional and technical competencies and skill to deliver effective - timely and high-quality care to patients referred to the Interventional Pain Management team
• MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES: Patient Care - addresses medical problems - practices within scope of privileges - arrives in OR/Clinic on time - and physically attends outpatient clinics - conducts medical assessment including history - physical - and mental status examination
• Formulates diagnoses based upon data collected and within scope of practice
• Orders laboratory and diagnostic tests as needed
• Medical/Clinical Knowledge - Maintains licensure - meets CME requirements - and participates in resident/student training
• Interpersonal & Communication Skills - Electronic medical record entries are appropriate in tone and content
• Provides appropriate consultative evaluation - treatment - and/or follow-up recommendations
• Professionalism - Participates in peer reviews/committees - and absence of validated disruptive or unprofessional Behavior
• Systems - Based Practice - Complies with safety - security - and privacy policies - arranges proper clinical coverage during planned absences and complies with hand-off communication policy VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• 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) & 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 ineligible to apply
• Pay: Competitive salary - annual performance bonus - regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K 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 US 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 Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP) - which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements - loan repayments - sign-on bonus contracts - Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years)
• For additional information and eligibility requirements - contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at [e-mail]
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 8am to 430pm