Staff Physician/Orthopedic Surgery Section Chief

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Award amounts (up to $200,000) and enrollment periods (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. 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 completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physicians 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. 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 equivalent medicine or osteopathic medicine degree. 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, Commonwealth of the United States, or 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. VA physicians involved in academic training programs may need to be board certified for faculty status. Approved residencies include ACGME, AOA, or other residencies followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States. Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who otherwise meet the basic requirements are eligible to be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (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; 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 and fellowship training in 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 Physical requirements: More information can be found in VA Handbook 5019. 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, including VHA Physician Total Rewards, recruitment/relocation incentive (sign‑on bonus authorized for highly qualified individuals), and Education Debt Reduction Program (student loan repayment). Contact View email address on click.appcast.io – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. The EDRP is authorized; former participants are ineligible for incentive. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases. Paid time off: 50‑55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and up to 5 days paid absence for CME). Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contributions. Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care (many federal programs can be carried into retirement). Licensure: One full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory. CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full‑time with board certification). Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage. Contract: No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting. The Section Chief serves as a key member of Surgical Service and facility leadership—participating in strategic planning, policy development, and program growth to meet the orthopedic needs of the Veteran population. A key component of this role is the academic partnership with Washington University in St. Louis. The Section Chief must have advanced fellowship training in Reconstruction, Shoulder & Elbow, Sports Medicine, Orthopedic Trauma, or Adult Hip & Knee and be eligible for and maintain a faculty appointment at Washington University. The Chief of Orthopedic Surgery serves as the senior physician leader responsible for the oversight, coordination, and advancement of orthopedic surgical services within the Surgical Service at the VA St. Louis Health Care System. The Section Chief provides strategic and operational leadership—ensuring the delivery of high‑quality, veteran-centered orthopedic care while fostering a culture of professionalism, safety, and continuous improvement. Provide strategic, clinical, and operational leadership for the Orthopedic Surgery Section—ensuring high‑quality veteran-centered care. Provide comprehensive outpatient, inpatient, and operative orthopedic surgical care—including consultations, pre‑ and post‑operative management, and performance of a full range of procedures within subspecialty expertise. Maintain an active surgical practice and participate in the general orthopedic call schedule in support of continuous, safe patient care. Oversee section operations—including staffing, scheduling, access to care, documentation standards, quality metrics—and compliance with VA and accreditation requirements. Supervise and mentor orthopedic surgeons, advanced practice providers, residents, and students—fostering a positive, team‑based learning environment. Collaborate with Washington University and other partners to support education, quality improvement, research, and program development that enhance veteran musculoskeletal care. Work schedule: Full‑time tour of duty to be negotiated upon selection. #J-18808-Ljbffr Nahse