Staff Physician/Orthopedic Surgery

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

Benefits offered by this job

Education Debt Reduction Program

Competitive salary and annual performance bonus

Federal pension and health benefits

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Louis is seeking a qualified orthopedic surgeon to deliver high-quality surgical care. Responsibilities include conducting evaluations, performing surgeries, and educating residents.

The ideal candidate will be board certified or eligible in orthopedic surgery and maintain proficiency in advanced surgical procedures. A collaborative approach with multiple specialties is key to providing comprehensive veteran care.

This role offers competitive benefits including relocation incentives, generous paid time off, and a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• Must be eligible for faculty appointment with Washington University.
• Experience in surgical procedures such as shoulder & elbow repair, sports medicine.

Responsibilities

• Provide veteran-centered orthopedic surgical care.
• Conduct comprehensive evaluations and consultations.
• Supervise and mentor orthopedic surgery residents.

Skills

Board Certified or Board Eligible in Orthopedic Surgery

Proficiency in spoken and written English

Experience in multidisciplinary care coordination

Consistent operative experience

Education

Degree of doctor of medicine or equivalent

Completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Fellowship training in recognized subspecialty

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 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 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 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), (2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States) deemed appropriate by the local Medical Staff Executive Committee
• 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 or fee‑basis
• PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; they have a scope of practice that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision
• Additional Requirement: Must be eligible for faculty appointment with Washington University, the established academic affiliate partner of the VA St. Louis Health Care System
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Board Certified or Board Eligible in Orthopedic Surgery
• Fellowship training in a recognized subspecialty such as Shoulder & Elbow, Sports Medicine, Orthopedic Trauma, or Adult Hip & Knee
• Consistent operative experience within the past three years, including proficiency in general orthopedic surgical procedures, minimally invasive and image‑guided procedures
• Demonstrated ability to manage comprehensive orthopedic care across outpatient, inpatient, and operative settings
• Experience in multidisciplinary care coordination, including collaboration with primary care, rehabilitation, and ancillary services
• Prior involvement in resident and medical student education with familiarity with ACGME requirements
• Physical Requirements: More information can be found in VA Handbook 5019
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Duties

• Provide comprehensive total rewards package including competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases, 50‑55 days of paid time off per year, traditional federal pension, federal 401K with up to 5% VA contribution, federal health and insurance benefits
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus) and authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment) – former EDRP participants are ineligible for the incentive
• Contact [e-mail] – EDRP Coordinator for questions and assistance
• Provide surgical care as a Board Certified or Board Eligible Orthopedic Surgeon to join the VA St. Louis Surgical Service; deliver high‑quality veteran‑centered orthopedic surgical care and perform fellowship‑trained subspecialty procedures such as shoulder & elbow repair, sports medicine, orthopedic trauma, and adult hip & knee
• Clinical Responsibilities: Outpatient care – conduct comprehensive evaluations, new consultations, pre‑operative assessments, and post‑operative follow-ups; develop individualized treatment plans in collaboration with patients and referring providers; inpatient care – provide consultations, manage admissions including pre‑ and post‑operative care; participate in multidisciplinary rounds and coordinate care with hospitalists, rehabilitation, nursing, and ancillary services; ensure continuity during transitions between inpatient and outpatient settings
• Operative Care: Perform a full range of orthopedic surgical procedures within the scope of the subspecialty; maintain proficiency in advanced techniques, including minimally invasive, image‑guided, and robotic‑assisted procedures; participate in the development and implementation of robotic surgery protocols and integration of robotic technology into patient care
• Care Coordination: Collaborate with primary care, physical therapy, prosthetics, pain management, and other specialties to ensure integrated veteran‑centered care; participate in multidisciplinary case conferences and surgical planning meetings; facilitate timely communication with referring providers and ensure appropriate handoffs
• Educational Responsibilities: Supervise and mentor orthopedic surgery residents and medical students in both clinical and operative settings; ensure compliance with ACGME and affiliate training program requirements; serve as the primary liaison between the VA Orthopedic Surgery Section and the Washington University Orthopedic Residency Program; coordinate resident schedules, clinical rotations, and operative assignments; provide high‑quality teaching and mentorship; contribute to academic program development
• Administrative Responsibilities: Participate in Surgical Service meetings, peer review, and quality improvement initiatives; collaborate with nursing leadership, OR managers, and APP supervisors to improve workflows and patient outcomes; ensure timely and accurate documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR)
• Collaborating Physician and Clinical Oversight: Serve as the designated collaborating physician for Physician Assistants (PAs) assigned to the orthopaedic surgery section; review and co‑sign PA documentation as required by VA policy and state licensing regulations
• Research and Development: Support or participate in clinical research initiatives aligned with orthopedic innovation and veteran care; promote scholarly activity including publications, presentations, and quality improvement projects
• Dimensions of Practice: Veteran‑Centered Care – prioritize the needs, preferences, and values of Veterans; Clinical Competence – demonstrate mastery in orthopedic surgical techniques and evidence‑based practice; Educational Competence – provide high‑quality teaching and mentorship; contribute to academic program development
• Work Schedule: Full‑time tour of duty; actual tour to be negotiated upon selection