Physician (Orthopedic Surgeon)

Veterans Health Administration • Tucson, AZ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System is seeking an experienced orthopedic surgeon to join its orthopedic team. The position provides routine general orthopedic and sports medicine care, including evaluation and treatment of sports-related injuries, musculoskeletal conditions, and routine orthopedic trauma such as hip fractures. The surgeon provides both surgical and nonsurgical treatment and performs procedures including knee and shoulder arthroscopy, with experience in joint replacement surgery advantageous.

The surgeon shares a collaborative call schedule with three other orthopedic surgeons and receives support from six mid-level practitioners and an orthopedic resident. There is an opportunity to train orthopedic residents from the University of Arizona, the system’s academic affiliate. This is an open continuous announcement, open until January 8, 2027, with an initial application referral cutoff of October 30, 2026, and subsequent referrals at regular intervals or as vacancies arise.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is a federal VA position in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. The position may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to VHA eligibility requirements and approval. Eligible selectees must apply within four months of appointment; the potential award is up to $200,000 over one to five years. The VA also offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including paid time off, retirement, insurance, and other benefits described in the announcement.

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 other qualifying training and practice experience specified in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Board-certified or board-eligible orthopedic surgeon.
• Meet applicable VA pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation and physical evaluation; selected applicants are subject to drug testing and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Fellowship training in sports medicine or shoulder surgery is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency operating on routine orthopedic trauma cases such as hip fractures.
• Experience performing shoulder, knee, and hip replacements is an added advantage.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive general orthopedic care, including diagnosis and surgical and nonsurgical management of musculoskeletal conditions.
• Perform knee and shoulder arthroscopy, including meniscus repair or debridement, ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, labral repair, and subacromial decompression.
• Manage routine orthopedic trauma cases while on call, including cases such as hip fractures.
• Participate in a collaborative call schedule shared with three other orthopedic surgeons.
• Evaluate and treat sports-related injuries across a range of patient populations.
• Train orthopedic residents from the University of Arizona, the academic affiliate.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), potentially providing up to $200,000 in student loan repayment over one to five years, subject to eligibility and approval.
• 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 potentially five paid days for CME.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be continued into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 per year CME reimbursement for full-time, board-certified physicians.
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive (sign-on bonus), if approved.

What This Job Offers

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