The Orthopedic Surgeon works full time in the West Palm Beach VA Surgical Services providing general orthopedic care to Veterans. Fellowship training and experience in Hand and Upper Extremity surgery, including shoulder replacement surgery, is preferred. Clinical competence in Orthopedic Surgery requires factual knowledge and technical skills in the preoperative evaluation, operative management, and postoperative care of patients. 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 (ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY). (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. Preferred Experience: Specialization in hand and upper extremity surgery, including shoulder replacements. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The physician should be physically and mentally capable to perform the duties of the position including examinations, formulate the diagnosis and treatment plan and educate residents. Physical activities include sitting, standing (up to 4 hours) walking (up to 2 hours), heavy lifting (45 pounds or over), reaching above the shoulder, and repeated bending. Should be emotionally and mentally stable; and capable to perform the duties of the position ["NOTE: Orthopedic Surgery specialty added to Residency requirement . NOTE: ANNOUNCEMENT CLOSING DATE EXTENDED FROM 8/12/24. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. 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 The Orthopedic Surgeon works full time in the West Palm Beach VA Surgical Services providing general orthopedic care to Veterans. Clinical competence in Orthopedic Surgery requires factual knowledge and technical skills in the preoperative evaluation, operative management, and postoperative care of patients. The orthopedic surgeon should also be able to perform amputation, arthrotomy, arthrodesis, arthroplasty (including hemiarthroplasty of the hip, arthrotomy, arthroscopy of the knee and shoulder, osteotomy, bone grafts extremities, closed and open treatment of complicated fractures and dislocations). Duties include but are not limited to: Surgical duties that include: admissions, consultations, preoperative work ups, as well as postoperative care to correct or treat various general conditions, illnesses and injuries. Operates or directs the operation of fluoroscopic equipment for a medical procedure. Actively participates in Emergency and On-Call schedule. Provides comprehensive general care including prevention, health maintenance, early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up services to patients. Conducts outpatient clinics; reviews patients' medications, diet, course of therapy, adherence to management plan and patient observations; modifies management plan as indicated; and instructs and counsels patients as required. 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 general disorders. Refers patients as appropriate; works closely with allied health professionals; and participates in the Surgical Department Quality Assurance and Peer Review programs. A specialization in Hand and Upper Extremity surgery, including shoulder replacement surgery, is preferred. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs)."]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
