Anesthesiologist / Critical Care Physician

Quick Facts

• Part of a multidisciplinary team within the Surgical ICU (SICU)
• Perioperative critical care and anesthesia services across multiple surgical specialties
• Open continuous announcement; applications remain on file until 9/30/2027

Description

The physician will assess and manage critically ill perioperative patients in the SICU, identify patients who deviate from expected postoperative recovery trajectories, and perform routine invasive critical care procedures as needed. The role also includes providing anesthesia for a range of procedures (including major/minor vascular, general surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedic, podiatry, plastics, cardiac cases, and neurosurgery), plus preoperative evaluation, postoperative management, pain consultation screening, and out-of-OR airway management when required. Strong communication with consultants, Tele-ICU, and surgical services is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide perioperative critical care in the SICU for simple to highly complex patients with significant comorbidities
• Identify and intervene when patients deviate from expected postoperative recovery trajectories
• Perform routine invasive procedures common to critical care practice areas
• Provide anesthesia for procedures across multiple surgical specialties, including call “bring backs” for cardiac cases
• Perform preoperative evaluations and postoperative management in recovery
• Screen for pain consultation and provide out-of-OR airway management as required (including on call)
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members and maintain timely communication with consultants, Tele-ICU, and surgical services
• Perform additional duties delegated by the Associate Chief of Staff of Anesthesiology

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship (non-citizens only when a qualified citizen cannot be recruited per VA policy)
• Current, full, unrestricted medical license in a U.S. state/territory/commonwealth or DC
• Completion of accredited residency training leading to board certification eligibility (with defined exceptions)
• MD (or equivalent allopathic/osteopathic) degree from an approved institution
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Complete VA onboarding and pre-employment requirements; comply with REAL ID requirement after May 7, 2025
• Pass pre-employment physical evaluation
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program
• Drug test required; subject to random drug testing
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements for males born after 12/31/1959
• Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for EDRP
• If applying for EDRP: submit within 4 months of appointment (award/eligibility determined after program review)

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases
• Recruitment incentive (sign-on bonus) may be authorized for highly qualified candidates
• Paid time off: 50–55 days/year (annual leave, sick leave, paid federal holidays, and possible paid absence for CME)
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in VA contributions
• Federal insurance options (health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care)
• CME reimbursement possible ($1,000/year) for full-time board-certified providers
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) may offer up to $200,000 over a 1–5 year eligibility period (subject to approval)