Chief of Orthopedic Surgery

Veterans Health Administration•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

The Chief of Orthopedic Surgery provides orthopedic care to a diverse adult veteran population, including geriatric, polytrauma, and medically complex patients. The position includes assessment and diagnosis, a broad range of surgical and procedural care, perioperative and postoperative management, and inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department consultations. The Chief leads and supervises orthopedic staff, residents, and trainees; works with Surgery Service leadership on policies and program goals; and oversees operational, quality, safety, and compliance activities. The role exercises independent medical judgment within granted privileges and available resources, under the general supervision of the Chief, Surgery Service. Complex cases should be referred when appropriate, and cross-coverage and participation in the Surgery Service call schedule are required. This is a full-time position. The work schedule will be determined by the immediate supervisor. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to its eligibility requirements and application review. Recruitment or relocation incentives are authorized. The announcement describes a federal physician benefits package that includes paid leave and holidays, retirement plans, insurance options, possible CME reimbursement, and malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.

Requirements

Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved or accredited institution.
Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Completion of residency training meeting VA requirements in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification, or qualifying alternative training and independent-practice experience as specified in the announcement.
Board certification is required for this position.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
Must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Must complete applicable onboarding and background/security investigation requirements; applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
Must work within granted clinical privileges and comply with applicable regulatory, safety, and documentation standards.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience leading an orthopedic service or department, preferably in a hospital or healthcare system serving diverse populations.
Demonstrated experience with administrative duties such as staffing, compliance, program development, performance improvement, patient experience complaints, and quality improvement initiatives.
Board certification in orthopedic surgery is identified as preferred experience in addition to the announcement's stated board-certification requirement.

Responsibilities

Obtain patient histories and perform physical examinations for musculoskeletal and orthopedic conditions.
Order and interpret diagnostic tests, develop differential diagnoses, and create treatment plans.
Perform orthopedic surgeries within granted privileges, including arthroplasty, arthroscopy, fracture care, soft-tissue repairs, nerve decompression, hand surgery, spine procedures, infection management, amputations, and application or removal of casts, splints, and external fixation.
Perform minor procedures, including aspirations and injections, incision and drainage, wound care, and debridement.
Conduct preoperative evaluations and counseling; manage patients intraoperatively while following safety protocols; and provide postoperative pain control, wound evaluation, infection prevention, complication recognition, and rehabilitation coordination.
Provide inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department consultations and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams.
Complete CPRS documentation and write prescriptions, durable medical equipment orders, and specialty referrals.
Lead and supervise orthopedic staff, residents, and trainees.
Develop policies and program goals with Surgery Service leadership; manage clinic and operating room schedules; and oversee recruitment, onboarding, evaluation, and performance.
Participate in credentialing and privileging, promote evidence-based practice and safety, support process improvement, ensure regulatory compliance, and address patient concerns.
Teach and mentor trainees, support research and scholarly activity, and complete mandatory training while maintaining competencies.
Participate in quality assurance, peer review, root cause analysis, and morbidity and mortality review; develop and maintain clinical pathways and guidelines; and use data to monitor and improve performance.
Refer complex cases when appropriate and perform only procedures within granted privileges and available resources.
Ensure cross-coverage for absences and participate in the Surgery Service call schedule.

Benefits

Education Debt Reduction Program student loan repayment, subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of one to five years.
Recruitment or sign-on incentives are authorized.
Relocation assistance is authorized.
Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
50–55 days of paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, federal holidays, and possible paid CME absence.
Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance options.
Possible $1,000 per year CME reimbursement for full-time physicians with board certification.
Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.