Physician (Chief of Surgery) (Augusta)

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications and subsequent cut-off dates are on the 1st of each month. 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.

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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position - with or without reasonable accommodation - without hazard to themselves or others
• Depending on the essential duties of a specific position - usable vision - color vision - hearing or speech may be required
• However - in most cases - a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized for highly qualified candidates
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
• Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
• 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
• Major Duties/Responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to: Leadership & Strategic Direction: - Provides overall clinical and administrative leadership for the Surgery Service - ensuring alignment with national - VISN - and local priorities
• - Defines mission - vision - and objectives for surgical programs and develops long-range strategic plans - including workforce - equipment - and space needs
• - Serves as key advisor to the Chief of Staff and Medical Center Director on surgical operations - performance - and emerging issues
• Clinical Oversight & Quality of Care: - Ensures timely - appropriate - and safe surgical care across inpatient - outpatient - ICU - OR - PACU - and procedural areas
• - Oversees surgical subspecialties such as General Surgery - Urology - Podiatry - Gastroenterology - limited Gynecology - and Anesthesia (facility dependent)
• - Implements evidence-based practice guidelines - clinical pathways - and quality improvement strategies to optimize outcomes
• - Ensures compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards - including Joint Commission and RME requirements
• Administrative & Operational Management: - Directs - supervises - and evaluates all clinical and administrative staff within the Surgery Service
• maintains staffing plans and recruitment strategies
• - Oversees operating room schedules - daily surgical workflows - and coordination between OR - Endoscopy - and PACU
• - Ensures development - implementation - and compliance with Surgery Service policies and procedures
• - Maintains accurate labor mapping - productivity tracking - and administrative time documentation
• Credentialing - Privileging & Provider Performance: - Coordinates FPPE and OPPE processes and ensures providers maintain compliant clinical privileges
• - Reviews clinical performance - oversees peer review actions - and ensures compliance with medical staff bylaws and standards
• Education - Training & Academic Responsibilities: - Supports surgical residency and fellowship programs by ensuring proper supervision and a compliant teaching environment
• - Facilitates training - onboarding - and continuing professional development for surgical personnel
• Resource - Budget - & Program Management: - Prepares annual gap analyses - workforce projections - and budget needs for surgical services
• - Assesses and plans for equipment - materials - and space
• oversees equipment stewardship and RME compliance
• - Ensures cost-effective management of surgical operations - contracts - and fee-basis care when applicable
• Communication & Collaboration: - Works collaboratively with executive leadership - Nurse Managers - Section Chiefs - administrative staff - and VISN/VACO partners
• - Maintains effective communication with surgical staff - patients - other services - and external oversight bodies
• Emergency Preparedness & Continuity of Operations: - Leads Surgery Service actions during COOP events - including evaluating staffing levels - resource status - operational capacity - and relocation requirements
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Subject to change based on the needs of the agency.