Orthopedic Surgeon (Joint Replacement)

Veterans Health Administration • Philadelphia, PA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Orthopedic Surgeon (Joint Replacement) provides surgical and clinical care for patients with orthopedic complaints and conditions. The role includes admitting patients from outpatient settings; evaluating, diagnosing, and treating them; consulting on orthopedic cases; and performing invasive and surgical procedures. Care may be delivered in the clinic, operating room, emergency department, and inpatient setting. The physician orders laboratory and diagnostic tests, requests specialty consultations, and provides office- and operating-room-based procedures. Work must comply with applicable VA, Joint Commission, and other standards. The physician works with other physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and support staff. Computer skills are essential because the Philadelphia VA Medical Center uses computerized systems for clinical documentation, orders, and consult requests.

The position is an open continuous announcement through March 16, 2027. Qualified applicants may be considered and referred as vacancies arise. The work schedule is to be determined. VA describes a total rewards package that may include recruitment or relocation incentives, competitive salary, annual performance bonuses and regular increases, paid time off, federal retirement and insurance benefits, possible CME reimbursement, malpractice coverage, and eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program at certain locations. EDRP approval, award amount, and eligibility period are determined after application review; the program may provide up to $200,000 for eligible participants.

Applicants must meet VA physician requirements, including a qualifying medical degree, a current full and unrestricted U.S. medical license, and qualifying residency training or an applicable alternative described in the announcement. The position also requires English proficiency and satisfaction of the stated employment, security, onboarding, physical evaluation, and vaccination conditions.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or 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 qualifying residency training in an accredited core specialty program leading to eligibility for board certification, or an alternative training and independent-practice pathway specified in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Pass required pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Meet applicable background/security, onboarding, identification, and other pre-employment requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a VA health care personnel requirement.
• Computer skills for documentation, order entry, and consultation requests.

Nice To Haves

• Completion of a joint fellowship program.
• Robotic use experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full spectrum of orthopedic surgical care, including admission, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, consultation, and invasive or surgical procedures.
• Perform comprehensive and problem-focused histories and physical examinations.
• Interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests and correlate subjective and objective data to develop differential and working diagnoses.
• Develop and implement treatment plans and therapeutic interventions for orthopedic conditions, and determine when consultation, referral, or further evaluation is needed.
• Order, collect, and perform appropriate laboratory and diagnostic studies, including routine laboratory tests, EMG, electrocardiograms, and radiologic examinations such as arthrograms, ultrasound, CT, MRI, and bone scans.
• Perform compartment pressure measurements, digital blocks, and regional anesthesia.
• Perform minor outpatient surgical procedures, including tendon repair, wound management and closure, incision and drainage, needle biopsy, percutaneous fracture pinning, and K-wire or hardware removal.
• Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including aspiration and injection of joints, bursae, and cysts.
• Perform closed reductions of fractures and dislocations, wound closure, and application of internal devices.
• Apply braces, casts, splints, and other orthopedic appliances.
• Conduct hospital rounds, write orders, take call, and see patients in the emergency department.
• Evaluate and clarify clinical conditions and formulate and implement treatment plans for hospitalized patients.
• Maintain working relationships with the Primary Care Team and coordinate care with that team and other medical specialists, such as rheumatology.
• Complete patient referrals in CPRS, manage medications including medication reconciliation, complete view alerts, and follow up on patient-related information such as test and procedure results, consults, and medications.
• Document notes, enter orders, and request consultations using the medical center's computerized systems.
• Perform administrative and clinical work in accordance with applicable VA, Joint Commission, and other standards.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and paid Federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 annual CME reimbursement for eligible full-time, board-certified physicians.
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
• Possible recruitment or relocation incentive, subject to approval.
• Potential Education Debt Reduction Program reimbursement of up to $200,000 for eligible applicants at authorized locations, subject to program review and approval.
• No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree