Physician/Urology

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The Urologist will join the Surgical Service at VA St. Louis Health Care System as a Staff Urologist, providing comprehensive care for genitourinary conditions and supervising residents and APPs. The position emphasizes outpatient, inpatient, and operative care with a focus on patient-centered outcomes.

Fellowship in Genitourinary Reconstruction is preferred; board eligibility and full, unrestricted U.S. licensure are required, along with maintaining faculty appointments with VA and Washington

Qualifications

• Must hold MD/DO degree and be eligible for U.S. medical licensure.
• Residency training in an approved core specialty leading to board eligibility.
• Eligibility for and maintenance of a faculty appointment with VA St. Louis Health Care System and Washington University.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive urologic care to Veterans, including outpatient and inpatient services.
• Lead surgical teams in the operating room and supervise residents.
• Coordinate with APPs, nurses, and case managers for patient care.
• Participate in on-call duties and emergency consultations.
• Teach residents and health-profession trainees.

Skills

English proficiency

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Clinical supervision of residents

Education

Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree or equivalent

Full and unrestricted medical license in a U.S. state or territory

Residency training in core specialty leading to board eligibility

Eligibility for faculty appointment with VA St. Louis Health Care System and Washington University School of Medicine

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

Applicants must meet the basic requirements listed below and any additional requirements as specified in the job announcement. Pending completion of training or license requirements, candidates may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physicians 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. Must be eligible for and maintain a faculty appointment with an academic affiliate of the VA St Louis Health Care System and Washington University School of Medicine.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Instead, 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.
• Additional Requirement: Must be eligible for and maintain a faculty appointment with an academic affiliate of the VA St Louis Health Care System.
• Must be eligible for faculty appointment at Washington University.

Preferred Experience

• Fellowship training in Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery (GURS) or extensive experience with male reconstructive procedures (urethroplasty, IPP placement, AUS placement, ureteral reconstruction, urinary diversion).

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
• VHA Physician Total Rewards.
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more.
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants 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 of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, and possible 5 days 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: 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.
• Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.
• The Urologist is a Board Certified or Board Eligible attending physician within the Surgical Service at the VA St Louis Health Care System.
• The incumbent is responsible for providing comprehensive urologic care to Veterans and must maintain a faculty appointment with Washington University School of Medicine.
• Major Duties and Responsibilities.
• The Staff Urologist is responsible for the surgical and non‑surgical management of diseases and disorders of the genitourinary system in both male and female patients.
• Diagnoses and treatment of conditions affecting the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate, urethra, and male reproductive organs.
• The Urologist will participate in Urology call as appropriate, supervise residents, and contribute to the development of an educational program.
• Fellowship training in Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery (GURS) and/or extensive experience with male reconstructive procedures desired.
• Outpatient Care: Provides evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for Veterans with urologic conditions, including benign and malignant diseases.
• Works closely with Advanced Practice Providers, nurses, and technicians to coordinate clinic flow, triage patients, and ensure timely follow‑up.
• Delegates appropriate tasks to APPs and nursing staff while maintaining oversight of all clinical care.
• Inpatient Care: Serves as an attending urologist for admitted patients, supported by APPs, RNs, and residents (if present).
• Provides consultation and management for hospitalized Veterans with urologic conditions.
• Collaborates with inpatient nursing staff, case managers, and technicians to provide daily care, post‑operative management, and discharge planning.
• Operative Care: Performs a full range of urologic surgical procedures – including endoscopic, laparoscopic, robotic, and open procedures.
• Ensures appropriate preoperative assessment, intraoperative care, and postoperative management.
• Leads surgical teams in the operating room, ensuring patient safety and procedural efficiency.
• Emergency Surgical Care: Directs a team response with ER physicians, ICU staff, nurses, and technicians.
• Responds promptly to urgent urologic consults and emergencies.
• On‑Call: Participates equitably in the call schedule, supported by APPs and residents where available.
• Works with inpatient nursing staff and on‑call surgical teams to triage emergency consults and determine appropriate interventions.
• Teaching and Education: Supervises and teaches residents, APPs, and nursing staff.
• Also teaches and supervises health‑professions trainees if present.
• Provides structured learning experiences on urologic principles, patient safety, and team‑based care.
• Conducts in‑service training for OR nurses and technicians on urologic instrumentation and sterile technique.
• Work Schedule: Full‑time; tour negotiable upon selection; supervisory discretion.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Physical Requirements: For more information please review VA Handbook 5019.