Physician - Orthopedic Surgeon

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Lebanon (Lebanon County); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off: 50-55 days per year

Federal health, vision, dental insurance

Retirement benefits including federal pension

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a physician in Lebanon, PA, to provide comprehensive healthcare services. The role requires a medical degree, an active medical license, and proficiency in surgical techniques.

Key responsibilities include patient documentation, direct care, and participation in interdisciplinary teams to enhance patient outcomes. The position offers a competitive salary, relocation assistance, and substantial paid time off including 50-55 days per year.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship is required.
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine is needed.
• Preferred experience: Board Certified in joint replacement surgery.

Responsibilities

• Participate in clinical practice and document interventions.
• Maintain competencies and participate in in-service training programs.
• Educate patients and their families regarding treatment and diagnosis.

Skills

Proficiency in spoken and written English

Experience in invasive surgical techniques

Expertise in total joint procedures and revisions

Robotic surgery experience

Education

Degree of doctor of medicine or equivalent

Completion of residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

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 (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 the course of study was completed
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, 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 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‑US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States under a full and unrestricted license performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable toward this requirement) – which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and exposure to a 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 / Board Eligible Fellowship trained in joint replacement surgery – including shoulder, hip and/or knee
• Experience and training in invasive surgical techniques. Robotic surgery experience. Expertise in total joint procedures and revisions. Success in major joint surgery in a similar teaching setting. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre‑employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre‑employment process for this position

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Lump sum at the beginning of the service period of 30% for 24 months of service. Please note: This incentive is for new federal employees only.
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Lump sum at the beginning of the service period of 30% for 24 months of service. Please note: This incentive is for current federal employees only.
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• 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 and possible 5 day paid absence for CME)
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions by VA
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care. Many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement
• Licensure: One 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
• Major duties include but are not limited to:
  • Clinical Practice – appropriately documents own interventions and reviews appropriate health team documentation of patient treatment plans and involves the primary care provider when indicated to treat changes in the patient's condition
  • Recognizes complex situations that impact patient care and intervenes using sound judgment, professional attitude, and appropriate channels
  • Participates in establishing policies, procedures and guidelines to ensure adequate, comprehensive services
  • Participates in in‑service training programs and maintains competencies
  • Participates in direct patient care utilizing telehealth technologies
  • Maintains current knowledge of trends in professional issues
  • Evaluates the need for and provides education to the patient and/or their family concerning the patient's treatment and diagnosis
  • Quality of Care – uses professional standards of care and practice to evaluate programs and activities
  • Develops and leads interdisciplinary teams to improve organizational performance
  • Recognizes impediments to health care delivery and uses problem solving/performance improvement approaches to improve outcomes
  • Participates in performance improvement activities related to the service line quality improvement process
  • Tracks and trends issues related to care delivery and role implementation
  • Evaluates need and participates in interdisciplinary ad hoc committees/process action teams for constructive problem solving
  • Establishes objective and measurable goals that are appropriate for case load size based on patient population and diagnoses
• Work Schedule: Will be discussed during the interview.