Qualified candidates will be eligible for a recruitment incentive based on years of experience and other qualifications. This is an open continuous announcement and will remain open until May 6, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be November 20, 2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.
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. Preferred qualifications: Board certification Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Must be able to physically and mentally perform the duties of Physician under normal and emergent conditions. Moderate lifting 15-44 lbs and over with assistive devices, heavy carrying of 15-44 lbs and over with assistive devices; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, both hands required, walking or standing up to 4 hours per day; repeated bending up to 1-2 hours per day; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination; near vision correctable; hearing aid permitted.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Qualified candidates will be eligible for a recruitment incentive based on years of experience and other qualifications. 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 As an Orthopedic Surgeon you will be responsible for providing orthopedic care to veterans by diagnosing, treating and managing all orthopedic diseases/injuries. You will be required to participate in resident training. This position carries the possibility of a joint faculty appointment at the University of New Mexico Health Science Center (UNMHSC). Applicants must have the appropriate credentials for a faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor level or higher at UNMHSC. Duties include, but are not limited to: Assuring that a high degree of quality patient care is provided at all times. Independently exercising creativity in solving problems without direct supervisory guidance to meet the varying needs of patients while under care in the Orthopedic Clinic. Exercising independent professional judgment in diagnosing the full range of complex Orthopedic conditions as well as planning and executing the necessary treatment programs to meet complex and frequent changes in treatment objectives. Referring, when indicated, patients with multiple health problems to other providers within the facility and the VISN. Consulting with physicians and others, when requested, to augment the care of their patients as it relates to emergent and traumatic conditions as well as Orthopedic manifestations of systemic conditions. Utilizing general clinical privileges which include: ordering diagnostic tests as appropriate, writing prescriptions for medications or other items on the hospital formulary, hospitalize patients as appropriate and discharge patients from outpatient care if it is determined that care is no longer required. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm with variances and call as needed for patient care.