Staff Physician - Orthopedic Section Chief

Full Job Description

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. 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: Must be eligible for faculty appointment with Washington University.

Preferred Experience: Board-certified orthopedic surgeon with comprehensive experience or fellowship training in a subspecialty such as Reconstruction, Shoulder & Elbow, Sports Medicine, or Trauma.

Demonstrated proficiency in advanced surgical techniques and evidence-based practice. Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: More information can be found in VA Handbook 5019.

Major Duties:

VA St. Louis Health Care System seeks an accomplished orthopedic surgeon to lead as Section Chief of Orthopedic Surgery.

This role combines clinical expertise with administrative leadership and education in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized and may be offered to highly qualified individuals.

Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact visn15edrp@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 The Section Chief provides strategic and operational leadership for the Orthopedic Surgery Section, ensuring high-quality, Veteran-centered care.

Approximately 30% of the role is administrative and management, including oversight of clinical scheduling, provider productivity, access to care, compliance with VA policies, Joint Commission standards, and medical staff bylaws.

Responsibilities also include performance evaluations of orthopedic staff, collaboration on budget, equipment, and space planning, and oversight of the orthopedic residency program in partnership with Washington University.

The remaining 70% of the role is dedicated to direct clinical care, including outpatient, inpatient, and operative responsibilities.

Major Responsibilities Leadership & Administration (30%): Direct section operations, strategic planning, and quality improvement initiatives.

Represent the section in interdisciplinary committees and leadership forums. Ensure compliance with documentation standards, coding accuracy, and timely completion of clinical records.

Education & Residency Oversight: Supervise and mentor orthopedic residents and medical students and advanced practice providers. Ensure compliance with ACGME and affiliate training requirements.

Provide structured feedback and contribute to resident evaluations and academic development.

Oversee the orthopedic residency program in collaboration with Washington University, fostering an academic environment and supporting curriculum development.

Research (as applicable): Support or lead clinical research initiatives aligned with orthopedic innovation and Veteran care.

Promote scholarly activity, including publications and quality improvement projects. Clinical Care (70%): Deliver comprehensive orthopedic care in outpatient and inpatient settings.

Perform a full range of surgical procedures within the surgeon's subspecialty (e.g., complex joint reconstruction, shoulder/elbow repair, trauma stabilization, or functional restoration).

Participate in general orthopedic call coverage and multidisciplinary care coordination. Work Schedule: Full-Time tour of duty to be negotiated upon selection.