Physician (Chief Anesthesiologist)

Veterans Health Administration • Albuquerque, NM

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS) is seeking a Chief Anesthesiologist to join their team. This is an open continuous announcement that will remain open until January 08, 2027, with applicants being accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates considered as vacancies become available. The role involves providing leadership and administrative oversight for all anesthesia services, ensuring safe and high-quality anesthetic care, collaborating with various healthcare professionals and stakeholders, and delivering anesthesia care for a wide range of procedures. The position also includes supervisory and educational responsibilities, with potential faculty appointment at the University of New Mexico. On-call coverage is also a requirement.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• 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.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Nice To Haves

• Interest in working in a collaborative environment with Physician and CRNA providers.
• CRNAs are transitioning to privileged practitioners.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership with significant responsibility and accountability for all clinical and administrative operations associated with anesthesia services at NMVAHCS.
• Oversee service and program operations, including both clinical care delivery and administrative functions across operating room and non-operating room anesthesia locations.
• Coordinate and work with all licensed independent providers, including physicians and CRNAs, to ensure safe, high quality anesthetic care for Veterans.
• Collaborate with clinical services, interdisciplinary leaders, and executive management to support integrated perioperative care and operational effectiveness.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with medical center personnel, patients, families, and community stakeholders.
• Direct perioperative care services including preoperative optimization, intraoperative clinical pathways, postoperative management, surgical intensive care participation, and acute and chronic pain management.
• Work collaboratively with CRNAs.
• Supervise residents, medical students, and SRNAs while supporting their transition to privileged practitioners and promoting a collegial team environment.
• Serve as an administrator, educator, and consultant while supporting academic responsibilities and potential faculty appointment with the University of New Mexico.
• Deliver anesthesia care independently and through supervision for a wide range of procedures including cardiac, vascular, general surgery, orthopedics, ENT, urology, and expanding non OR anesthesia services.
• Participate in rotating evening, weekend, and holiday on call coverage while supporting the mission to provide excellent and safe anesthetic care to the nation's Veterans.
• Performs other duties as appropriately assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Annual performance bonus
• Regular salary increases
• 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME)
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting)
• Federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement for CME (must be full-time with board certification)
• Free liability protection with tail coverage provided
• No Physician Employment Contract
• No significant restriction on moonlighting

What This Job Offers

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