Chief of Surgical Services - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized

Summary

The VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System (VANWIHCS) is seeking a full-time Chief of Surgical Services to lead our Surgical Service Department. This is an excellent leadership opportunity to serve our nation's veterans while working in a dynamic and supportive environment. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

Duties

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): May be authorized for specialties of Urology, Orthopedic Surgery, and Otolaryngology. Physicians with specialties of Urology, Orthopedic Surgery, and Otolaryngology MAY eligible for Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer. The selectee must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 $1,000 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 The Chief of Surgical Services provides supervisory/leadership for the entire program, which includes Audiology, Anesthesiology, ENT, General Surgery, GYN, Optometry, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Podiatry, Plastics, Thoracic, Urology, Vascular and Dental Services. The position ensures that the facility meets and/or exceeds all performance expectations related to the program as well as coordinates proactively to meet the demands of our numerous residency/training programs. The Chief of Surgical Services functions as the primary advisor to the Chief of Staff and Medical Center Director on surgical programs at the VA NWIHCS. The Chief of Surgical Services is responsible for the effective and efficient management of surgical programs and services. The incumbent will oversee the clinical and administrative aspects of the Surgical Service, including budget and fiscal management, personnel management, strategic planning, program development, quality management, assuring that the clinical and administrative functions are integrated to provide optimum utilization of the available resources. The Chief of Surgical Services is responsible for the overall care of patients with conditions requiring treatment in Surgical Service to include consultative, prescriptive and ordering authority in the outpatient setting. In addition to supervisory responsibilities, the Chief of Surgical Services will be responsible for providing direct patient care and surgery as well as teaching and resident supervision within the Department of Surgery. The incumbent follows established guidelines, ethics, and policies and protocols of the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System VAMC and the profession. Duties and responsibilities include: Program Administration (25%) Custodial Officer Designation (5%) Supervisory Controls (20%) Budget and Fiscal Management (15%) Human Resources Management (10%) Clinical Lead (20%) Research and Education (5%) Work Schedule: Full-time Monday - Friday, 0730-1600

Requirements

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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination due to Driving Requirement. 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.

Education

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 an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are: Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted. Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for the year in which the degree was granted. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, confirmation must be made that the medical school meets (or met) Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) eligibility requirement for year graduated. NOTE: The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.