Summary

The incumbent serves as Surgery Service Chief at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System a Complexity Level 1 (High Complexity) facility. The incumbent must have knowledge of the mission - organization - program - and inter-relationships of the VA. This position reports to and is supervised by the Chief of Staff. As Surgery Service Chief - has direct administrative responsibility for planning - developing - coordinating - directing - evaluating - and supervising.

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
• Selective Placement Factor (SPF) for locations in Puerto Rico- This position includes a skill - knowledge - ability or other worker characteristic basic to -and essential for- satisfactory performance of the job
• Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position
• Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration
• Evidence of the Selective Placement Factor must be reflected in your resume
• The SPF for this position is: In addition to the English Language Proficiency - you must also be proficient in basic written and spoken Spanish in order to perform the duties of this position
• Preferred Experience: Demonstrated leadership in managing complex surgical programs - supported by extensive supervisory and administrative experience
• Possesses deep expertise in compliance - accreditation standards - and regulatory oversight
• Provides strong Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement leadership with a proven record in elevating clinical and operational outcomes
• Brings high-level program - policy - and strategic management capabilities - complemented by solid Human Resources and workforce management experience
• Skilled in fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and driving cohesive teamwork across diverse functional areas
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• Potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• Must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment
• Must be physically - emotionally and mentally competent and able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position - with or without reasonable accommodation - without hazard to yourself or others.

Duties

• Note: This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT through December 31th - 2026
• Applications received after each cut-off will be reviewed as needed until the position is filled
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): *Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): *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 -500 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 include but are not limited to: Functions independently as a member of the Medical Staff with full clinical privileges
• Assumes complete professional responsibility for clinical assessments - patient-care decisions and documentation
• Maintains an ongoing clinical practice in addition to administrative duties
• Provides direct supervision of all Surgical Service staff
• Ensures credentialing and privileging requirements are met by all clinical staff in the service - including requirements for Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE) and Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE)
• Complies with local and national performance standards for the Surgical service
• Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings for the Surgical Service - Clinical Service for his/her appropriate clinical practice and as requested by the Chief of Staff and Medical Center Director
• Provides advice - guidance
• direction - and technical assistance to Surgical Services investigators in the submission of Ambulatory Care Services proposals and in conducting funded Surgical Services
• Consults with and assist other Surgical Services investigators in the integration of Theoretical concepts and applied Surgical Services methods
• Ensures that all programs within the Surgical Services Service Line are in compliance with the applicable JCAHO - NCQA - AALAC - FDA - ORO and other accreditation standards
• Collaborates with Quality Management on quality assurance and performance improvement activities for all programs with the Service Line
• Serves as the Medical Center's liaison to VISN/VACO regarding matters related to Surgical Services including submission of proposals - reports and correspondence
• Serves as contract supervisor when assigned
• Serves as principal member on peer review Surgical Services programs and special Surgical Service initiatives
• Fosters initiation and development of new Surgical Services protocols to include basic science and clinical studies proposals as well as the development of joint Surgical Services ventures with the affiliating institutions
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am-4:30pm