Physician (Orthopedic Surgery)

Physician (Orthopedic Surgery)

West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System's Surgery Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Physician (Orthopedic Surgery). Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards, as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center.

This is an open continuous announcement that will remain open until filled. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Eligible applicants will be referred each week for consideration until a selection is made. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. 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

Duties may include but not limited to the following:

• Performs orthopedic spine procedures on patients, overseeing their admission, consultation, and work-up, as well as providing preoperative and postoperative care to address a wide range of conditions, illnesses, and injuries.
• Provides preliminary diagnoses and directs, prescribes, or administers treatments, arranging specialized care or patient referrals as needed.
• Actively engages in the Emergency and On-Call schedule for Orthopedics.
• Offers comprehensive operative and non-operative management for spine patients, encompassing prevention, health maintenance, early diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up services.
• Manages patients throughout their inpatient care, collaborating with consultants as necessary and conducting inpatient consultations for patients from other services.
• Oversees personal outpatient clinics; assesses patients' medications, diet, therapy progress, adherence to management plans, and patient observations; adjusts management plans as necessary; and provides necessary instructions and counseling to patients.
• Serves as a consultant to primary care physicians and accepts referrals and outpatient consultations from other providers.
• Functions in a teaching capacity by educating others (patients, staff, trainees, and/or seminar participants, etc.) in the assessment, treatment, management and evaluation of spinal disorders.
• Refers patients when necessary, collaborates closely with allied health professionals, and takes part in the Surgical Department Quality Assurance and Peer Review programs.
• Orthopedic fellowship trained spine surgeon is professionally and clinically responsible to the Chief, Surgical Service in both clinical and administrative areas. His/her work is reviewed for technical adequacy and conformance to policies, procedures and practices. The incumbent consults with other team members and supervising physician regarding complex or unusual situations.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Conditions of Employment:

• 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. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• 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. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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: Fellowship training in spine surgery is required. Preferred Experience: Residency training in Orthopedics from an ACGME accredited program. Licensure or Registration: Licensed to practice neurosurgery or orthopedics in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. (Exception: candidates who were employed prior to 1997; candidates who completed residency in Neuro Surgery or Orthopedics less than (4) years ago; or candidates transferring from another VAMC.) Prefer current certification by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons (ABNS) or the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons (ABOS).

Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019. This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health. This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs., carrying objects up to 15 lbs., frequent reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, hands and legs, use of cranes and motor vehicles, walking & standing up to 8 hours, bending and climbing and able to hear whisper. The incumbent must be physically, emotionally and mentally stable in order to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.