Summary

The Orthopedic Physician/Orthopedic Surgeon provides comprehensive orthopedic care to Veterans in an outpatient - inpatient - procedural - and/or surgical setting as assigned at St. Cloud VA Medical Center. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program.

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 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
• (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 accrediting bodies for graduate medical education - the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - in the list published for the year the residency - or fellowship if applicable - was completed
• OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship - first year of residency - or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States
• OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - 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
• Exceptions: 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 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
• In rare and unusual circumstances - the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer - who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience - accomplishments - performance - and qualifications warrant such action
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Board Certified/Board Eligible in Orthopedic Surgery Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring periods of standing - walking - bending - reaching - sitting - and use of hands for fine motor clinical tasks
• The incumbent may be required to assist with patient positioning - perform examinations and procedures - and work in clinical environments where prolonged standing or repetitive hand movements may occur
• The position requires visual acuity - manual dexterity - hearing - speech - and cognitive ability sufficient to perform clinical assessments - procedures - documentation - and patient communication
• The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to perform the essential functions of the position efficiently - with or without reasonable accommodation - and without hazard to self or others.

Duties

• FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: The Orthopedic Physician/Orthopedic Surgeon provides direct clinical care and performs duties that include - but are not limited to - the following: Examines - evaluates - diagnoses - and treats Veterans with orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions - injuries - deformities - disorders - and functional limitations
• Provides outpatient orthopedic care - including new patient evaluations - follow-up appointments - pre­operative assessments - post-operative evaluations - and ongoing management of orthopedic conditions
• Reviews and documents patient histories - physical examination findings - diagnostic studies - treatment plans - informed consent discussions - procedures - operative findings - follow-up needs - and clinical outcomes
• Reviews and documents patient histories - physical examination findings - diagnostic studies - treatment plans - informed consent discussions - procedures - operative findings - follow-up needs - and clinical outcomes
• Orders - reviews - and interprets diagnostic studies within the scope of practice - including radiographs - advanced imaging - laboratory testing - electrodiagnostic studies - and other clinically indicated evaluations
• Develops - implements - and modifies patient-centered treatment plans based on clinical assessment - diagnostic findings - patient goals - evidence-based standards - and available treatment options
• Provides non-operative orthopedic management - including medication management - bracing - casting - splinting - injections - activity modification - therapy referrals - assistive devices - and other conservative treatment modalities as clinically indicated
• Performs orthopedic procedures and surgeries within the scope of licensure - clinical privileges - and facility capability
• Provides surgical care for appropriate orthopedic conditions - which may include degenerative joint disease - fractures - tendon or ligament injuries - joint disorders - arthritis-related conditions - soft tissue injuries - and other musculoskeletal conditions based on granted privileges and facility needs
• Explains diagnoses - treatment options - surgical and non-surgical alternatives - expected outcomes - risks - benefits - and potential complications to patients and caregivers in a clear and understandable manner
• Provides post-operative care - including follow-up assessment - wound evaluation - review of recovery progress - management of complications - activity restrictions - therapy planning - and coordination of return-to-function goals
• Manages orthopedic consults - return-to-clinic orders - surgical requests - procedural scheduling needs - and follow-up care in a timely and clinically appropriate manner
• Performs administrative duties related to patient care management - including completion of progress notes - histories and physicals - operative reports - discharge summaries - consult responses - encounter forms - orders - and other required documentation
• Works collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team - including nursing - anesthesia - surgical providers - podiatry - mid-level providers - therapists - prosthetics and orthotics - and medical support staff to ensure prompt - coordinated - and efficient delivery of care
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program - based on the area of specialty of the selected candidate
• 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 are ineligible to apply
• Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more
• 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