Surgery Section Chief (Physician)

Quick Facts

• Role: Surgery Section Chief (Physician)

• Focus: General surgery leadership and comprehensive surgical care for veterans

• Operating model: Inpatient, outpatient, and urgent care; required operating room duties and rotational on-call coverage

• Support: Oversees/coordinates surgical staff, including advanced practice providers and trainees

Description

The Surgery Section Chief provides comprehensive clinical and consultative leadership for general surgical care, including preoperative evaluation, surgical intervention, postoperative treatment of complications, and discharge planning. The role includes required operating room participation, rotational night/weekend on-call coverage, and active consultation and referral management for inpatient and outpatient patients. The chief also supervises and trains physician assistants, nurse practitioners, residents, and medical students, while overseeing section productivity, accreditation readiness, and performance reviews.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate general surgical care across outpatient, inpatient, and urgent care settings

• Perform major and minor general surgical procedures in the operating room

• Provide rotational on-call coverage (including nights and weekends)

• Respond to inpatient and outpatient consultations; make referrals and recommend treatment/medications

• Manage community care needs and communicate test results with recommended next steps

• Maintain accurate clinical records and use the facility electronic health record

• Participate in ward/ICU rounds, morbidity and mortality conferences, grand rounds, and assigned academic/service activities

• Supervise and train clinical staff and trainees within the Surgery Section

• Oversee schedules and call rotations; ensure adequate coverage across care sites

• Conduct quarterly progress reviews and address performance/conduct concerns

• Monitor productivity and access/utilization/efficiency/cancellation metrics; address gaps

• Prepare for accreditation site visits; implement corrective actions and maintain compliance documentation

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (non-citizens only if VA cannot recruit qualified citizens per VA policy)

• MD (or equivalent allopathic/osteopathic medical degree) from an approved school

• Full and unrestricted license to practice medicine/surgery in a U.S. state/territory/commonwealth or DC

• Completion of accredited residency training approved for board-certification eligibility (or an approved VA pathway/exception)

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• Background/security investigation eligibility

• Pass pre-employment physical examination

• Complete VA onboarding and required pre-employment steps; accept testing requirements (including urinalysis if in a testing-designated position)

• Seasonal influenza vaccination participation required for VA Health Care Personnel

• Selective Service registration for eligible males born after 12/31/1959

Benefits

• Recruitment/relocation incentives may be available for highly qualified candidates

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) eligibility for student loan repayment (up to $200,000; requires application within 4 months of start)

• Competitive salary with annual performance bonus and regular salary increases

• 50–55 days paid time off per year (annual leave, sick leave, federal holidays; possible CME absence)

• Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k) with potential VA contributions

• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance options

• Malpractice liability protection with tail coverage

• CME reimbursement possible ($1,000/year; board certification and full-time eligibility required)

• Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm; no physician employment contract and no significant moonlighting restrictions

• No competitive status (Excepted Service)