Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in 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
• (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) - b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) -OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States) - which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences
• Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs)
• PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e. - not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee-basis
• PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged
• rather - they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision
• Additionally - surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Additional Requirement: Board Certification in Orthopedic Surgery Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: In Accordance With VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Duties

• The East Orange VA Medical Center - part of the New Jersey VA Health Care System - is seeking a highly qualified and motivated Supervisory Orthopedic Surgeon - or Section Chief of Orthopedic Surgery - to lead our Orthopedic Service
• This position plays a critical role in delivering exceptional orthopedic care to our nation's Veterans - while contributing to the clinical - administrative - and academic missions of the Department of Surgery
• The Section Chief will provide direct patient care - perform complex orthopedic procedures - and oversee the education and supervision of residents and medical trainees
• This is a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic team in a collaborative - Veteran-centered environment and mission
• Primary Duties and Responsibilities: Deliver high-quality orthopedic care to Veterans in both inpatient and outpatient settings Lead and manage all aspects of a general orthopedic program - including clinical operations - staff supervision - and academic activities
• Perform a broad range of orthopedic procedures - including major joint reconstruction and musculoskeletal surgeries
• Provide pre-operative and post-operative care - consultations - and follow-up evaluations of Veteran patients
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation in accordance with VA policy
• Serve as a leader and active participant in medical center committees
• Supervise and mentor residents - medical students - and interdisciplinary staff
• Participate in a shared rotation of night and weekend on-call coverage
• Ensure compliance with all VA policies - ethical standards - and clinical guidelines
• Scope of Practice: The Section Chief of Orthopedic Surgery is expected to: Practice within approved clinical privileges at all times
• Maintain a current knowledge and range of skills in orthopedic and musculoskeletal care
• Demonstrate sound diagnostic - judgmental - and therapeutic acumen
• Contribute unique skills and innovations to enhance the department's capabilities
• Promote a culture of excellence - collaboration - and Veteran-centered care
• Serve as a role model and educator for trainees and colleagues
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Pay: Competitive salary - annual performance bonus - regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 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) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory CME: Possible $1 -000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm - with shared rotation of call for nights and weekends