Staff Physician (Orthopedic Surgery) RecruitmentRelocation IncentiveEDRP Authorized

The Staff Physician Orthopedics Services is responsible for patient care patient/family education and participation in any indicated clinical research in the Orthopedic Service. The staff physician provides comprehensive care for patients who have illnesses within the scope of Orthopedics. The scope of these activities covers all phases of ambulatory care. Other responsibilities may include education of medical students and residents and/or supervision of other providers. The majority of the Staff Physicians time is devoted to patient care and education with the remaining time set aside for performance improvement activities creative research to improve patient care activities sufficient to maintain proficiency in state-of-the-art Orthopedic care. Most of the work takes place at Health Care Center at Harlingen some travel may be required to meet the needs at various sites of VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System.

Clinical Duties include but are not limited to:

• Responding to and completing consults received for the evaluation of orthopedic care
• Performing comprehensive detailed targeted initial history and physical examinations
• Ordering diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests X-rays electromyography (EMG) electrocardiograms (EKGs) and other tests
• Consulting with other disciplines as necessary to complete the patient evaluation
• Carrying out health promotion and disease prevention activities including education and shared decision-making
  • Surgical competence in Orthopedic procedures (Arthroscopic Surgery) is desirable and documentation of procedures within the past 12 months will be requested reflective of the scope of privileges requested
• Participating in VISN and national level efforts in Orthopedic programs
• Teaching students of various fields and specialties etc.

• Writing Medical Orders and prescriptions for non-controlled substances
• Documenting care provided in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS)
• Documenting detailed targeted initial history and physical examination required for evaluation in the electronic tool(s)
• Obtaining consent and documents procedures performed f
• Providing education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care medical conditions and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs
• Reviewing and revising policies and scope of practice/standards of operation
• Reviewing and guiding protocols in chronic patient managements to include coordinating efforts with prosthetics department to meet patients needs and maintain fiscal responsibility etc.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

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.
• Language Proficiency: Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Education: Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in 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.
• 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 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) OR
  • (2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA)OR
  • (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States) 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.
• License: 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.