Physician (Chief of Anesthesiology)

Veterans Health Administration • Lexington, KY

3d

About The Position

The Chief of the Anesthesiology service provides administrative, clinical, and programmatic leadership to help achieve the program’s clinical, research, and education goals. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Staff and serves as a key clinical resource for the Medical Center Director and the Chief of Staff. The role includes direct patient care on a rotational basis and clinical oversight in the operating room, pain clinic, intensive care units, GI clinic, EP procedure room, and other specialty areas where qualified. The Chief plans patient-centered service delivery, supports patient education and shared decision-making, advances quality and safety, research and education, and manages the service’s finances and operational changes.

The position has a Monday–Friday schedule, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. The VA describes a comprehensive total rewards package that includes competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases, paid time off, federal retirement and insurance programs, possible CME reimbursement, and malpractice liability protection with tail coverage. No physician employment contract or significant restriction on moonlighting applies.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved school.
• Current, full, 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 training program leading to board-certification eligibility, or an applicable alternative pathway described 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 a pre-employment physical evaluation and satisfy the announcement’s background, onboarding, identification, and other employment conditions.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet the stated physical requirements, including moderate lifting and carrying (15–25 lbs), pulling and pushing, reaching above shoulder, walking, kneeling, repeated bending, coordinated mental and muscular activity, correctable near and far vision, depth perception, basic color distinction, and hearing (hearing aid permitted).

Nice To Haves

• Board-certified or board-eligible physician; board certification is preferred.
• Advanced clinical experience and demonstrated administrative and leadership skills.
• Meet the requirements for a faculty appointment at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine.
• Experience as an anesthesia provider at Lexington VAHCS.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care on a rotational basis and clinical oversight in the operating room, pain clinic, intensive care units, GI clinic, EP procedure room, and other qualified specialty areas.
• Plan patient-centered service delivery to enhance patient education and shared decision-making.
• Establish a customer-oriented culture and promote hiring people who demonstrate VA’s iCARE values.
• Serve as or supervise a service lead physician for quality and safety improvement initiatives and utilization management.
• Continuously assess and improve care-delivery processes to enhance patient safety.
• Encourage and support the research and education missions.
• Work closely with the Associate Chief of Staff for Education and Simulation.
• Manage the service’s finances, including budget planning and management.
• Develop and implement methods to track the service’s fiscal activities.
• Demonstrate commitment to Lexington VA Health Care System goals.
• Provide a clear vision for the future and lead the service through necessary changes.

Benefits

• 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 with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• 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 full-time physicians with board certification.
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

What This Job Offers

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