This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & 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 ineligible to apply. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact visn15edrp@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 VA St. Louis Health Care System is seeking a Board Certified or Board Eligible Orthopedic Surgeon to join our Surgical Service. The selected candidates will deliver high-quality, Veteran-centered orthopedic surgical care and must be experienced general orthopedic surgeons with fellowship training in a subspecialty such as Shoulder & Elbow, Sports Medicine, Orthopedic Trauma, or Adult Hip & Knee. Clinical Responsibilities Outpatient Care: Conduct comprehensive orthopedic evaluations, including new consultations, pre-operative assessments, and post-operative follow-ups. Develop individualized treatment plans in collaboration with patients and referring providers. Inpatient Care: Provide inpatient consultations and manage orthopedic admissions, including pre- and post-operative care. Participate in multidisciplinary rounds and coordinate care with hospitalists, rehabilitation, nursing, and ancillary services. Ensure continuity of care during transitions between inpatient and outpatient settings. Operative Care: Perform a full range of orthopedic surgical procedures within the scope of the surgeon's subspecialty (e.g., joint reconstruction, shoulder/elbow repair, trauma stabilization). Maintain proficiency in advanced surgical techniques, including minimally invasive, image-guided, and robotic-assisted procedures. Participate in the development and implementation of robotic surgery protocols and ensure safe, effective integration of robotic technology into orthopedic surgical care. Care Coordination: Collaborate with primary care, physical therapy, prosthetics, pain management, and other specialties to ensure integrated, Veteran-centered care. Participate in multidisciplinary case conferences and surgical planning meetings. Facilitate timely communication with referring providers and ensure appropriate handoffs. Educational Responsibilities Supervise and mentor orthopedic surgery residents and medical students in both clinical and operative settings. Ensure compliance with ACGME and affiliate training program requirements. Resident Supervision and Site Director Responsibilities Serve as the primary liaison between the VA Orthopedic Surgery Section and the Washington University Orthopedic Residency Program. Coordinate resident schedules, clinical rotations, and operative assignments to ensure a robust and educational experience aligned with ACGME requirements. Administrative Responsibilities Participate in Surgical Service meetings, peer review, and quality improvement initiatives. Collaborate with nursing leadership, OR managers, and APP supervisors to improve workflows and patient outcomes. Ensure timely and accurate documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR). Collaborating Physician and Clinical Oversight Serve as the designated collaborating physician for Physician Assistants (PAs) assigned to the Orthopedic Surgery Section. Review and co-sign PA documentation as required by VA policy and state licensure regulations. Research and Development (as applicable) Support or participate in clinical research initiatives aligned with orthopedic innovation and Veteran care. Promote scholarly activity, including publications, presentations, and quality improvement projects. Dimensions of Practice Veteran-Centered Care: Prioritizes the needs, preferences, and values of Veterans in all aspects of care delivery. Clinical Competence: Demonstrates mastery in orthopedic surgical techniques and evidence-based practice within the chosen subspecialty. Educational Competence: Provides high-quality teaching and mentorship; contributes to academic program development. Work Schedule: Full-Time tour of duty, actual tour to be negotiated upon selection. 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 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). As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: - your performance and conduct; - the needs and interests of the agency; - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.