Chief of Thoracic Surgery (Physician)

Quick Facts

• Role: Chief of the Section of General Thoracic Surgery (Physician)

Description

Lead the Section of General Thoracic Surgery, providing surgical care for diseases of the lungs, esophagus, mediastinum, pleura, and chest wall, including thoracic oncology and lung transplant activities. Serve as an expert consultant for complex thoracic cases while leading multidisciplinary tumor board activities and lung cancer screening/pulmonary nodule programs. Oversee quality and safety, manage section operations, and teach and mentor trainees.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical surgical care for thoracic diseases, including thoracic oncology
• Oversee lung transplant evaluation, perioperative care, and compliance
• Lead thoracic tumor board; coordinate lung cancer screening and pulmonary nodule programs
• Ensure timely referrals through Community Care
• Monitor outcomes via VASQIP; lead peer review, FPPE/OPPE, morbidity & mortality, and corrective actions
• Ensure compliance with VHA, Joint Commission, and National Surgery Office standards
• Administer staffing, recruitment, credentialing, budget, equipment, OR scheduling, and productivity
• Develop section policies and clinical pathways; report to the Chief of Surgery
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate surgeons and advanced practice providers
• Teach residents, fellows, and students; support clinical research and quality improvement initiatives
• Provide veteran-centered care (exposure-related conditions, smoking cessation, prehabilitation, palliative care, suicide prevention screening/coordination)
• Collaborate with VISN and national VA program offices; provide tele-consultation to other VA facilities

Requirements

• Board certification in Thoracic Surgery
• Thoracic Surgery-approved residency (or equivalent)
• MD (or equivalent) degree from an approved allopathic/osteopathic medical school
• Current, full, unrestricted medical license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state/territory/commonwealth or DC
• Completion of approved residency training pathways leading to eligibility for board certification
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• U.S. citizenship (with limited exceptions)
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pass pre-employment physical evaluation
• Comply with designated drug testing position requirements
• Complete VA onboarding and required healthcare personnel vaccination program

Benefits

• Competitive salary with annual performance bonus and regular salary increases
• Paid time off: 50–55 days per year (annual leave, sick leave, paid federal holidays, plus possible CME-related paid absence)
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions by VA
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance options
• Possible CME reimbursement ($1,000/year with eligibility)
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting