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~$800,000SalaryDrMarket Context · Medium confidence
Reported by 15 physicians · region cohort · total comp, not the employer's posted pay
Orthopedic Surgery·On-call responsibilities per call schedule, coordinated with Surgery Service; cross-coverage required for planned and unplanned absences
Overview
The package
This is a VA Orthopedic Surgery Chief/Physician role serving a diverse adult veteran population, including geriatric, polytrauma, and medically complex patients, with full surgical privileges across a wide range of orthopedic procedures. The position carries significant administrative leadership responsibilities including supervising physicians, residents, APPs, and staff, alongside teaching, research, and quality improvement duties.
$200,000 loan repayment support
On-call responsibilities per call schedule, coordinated with Surgery Service; cross-coverage required for planned and unplanned absences
10 weeks PTO or vacation disclosed
VA Medical Center (federal government) · Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care Facility · Both inpatient and outpatient; consultations to inpatients, outpatients, and Emergency Department
Teaching responsibilities or academic setting indicated
Physician-reported range shown; the employer did not post pay for this role.
Compensation
Type
SalaryDr Market Context
Market context
$705,000 – $1,150,000
Structure
hybrid
Loan repayment
$200,000
PTO
10 weeks
$705k$800k$1150k
Physician-reported range Reported median
This is SalaryDr Market Context computed from 15 verified physician submissions (region cohort). It is not the employer's posted pay. The employer did not disclose pay.
Diverse adult veterans, including geriatric, polytrauma, and medically complex patients
Community snapshot
Peer median
Building sample
Active supply
Pennsylvania
Physician
Transparent pay
Not measured
SalaryDr source status
Work-life
VA Medical Center (federal government)
SalaryDr will show local peer compensation and hiring supply here once this role has enough verified physician data.
Questions to ask the employer
How is the $200,000 loan repayment structured — forgiven over time, contingent on service years, or paid up front?
Generated from this posting's disclosed facts and the SalaryDr comparison — bring them to the first recruiter call.
Work Design
Call burden
On-call responsibilities per call schedule, coordinated with Surgery Service; cross-coverage required for planned and unplanned absences
Shift type
Standard with on-call
Inpatient / outpatient
Both inpatient and outpatient; consultations to inpatients, outpatients, and Emergency Department
Coverage model
On-call per Surgery Service call schedule; cross-coverage coordinated for absences
Admin burden
High — leads and supervises all orthopedic physicians, residents, NPs/PAs, and staff; manages clinic and OR scheduling; responsible for recruitment, onboarding, credentialing, privileging, policy development, regulatory compliance, and patient complaint resolution
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. 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 Assessment & Diagnosis Obtain comprehensive medical histories and perform physical examinations specific to musculoskeletal, orthopedic, and traumatic conditions. Order and interpret appropriate diagnostic tests, including imaging and laboratory investigations. Develop differential diagnoses and individualized treatment plans for orthopedic disorders. Procedural & Surgical Interventions Perform a full range of orthopedic surgical procedures within credentialed privileges, including but not limited to: Total joint arthroplast Arthroscopy Fracture care Soft tissue repairs Peripheral nerve decompression Hand surgery Spine procedures as privileged Infection management Amputations Application/removal of casts, splints, external fixation Perform minor procedures such as joint aspirations/injections, incision and drainage, wound care, and debridement. Perioperative & Postoperative Management Conduct preoperative risk assessments, evaluation, and counseling. Manage intraoperative patient care, ensuring adherence to safety and quality protocols. Provide postoperative care, including pain management, wound assessment, infection prevention, complication recognition, and coordination with rehabilitation. Consultative Services Provide orthopedic consultations to inpatients, outpatients, Emergency Department, and other disciplines. Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams. Documentation and Orders Complete all documentation in the VA's electronic medical record (CPRS) promptly and accurately in accordance with facility and VHA standards. Write medication prescriptions, durable medical equipment orders, and specialty referrals under current licensure and privileges. Administrative Leadership Lead and supervise all physicians, residents, Nurse Practitioners/Physician Assistants, and staff assigned to Orthopedic Surgery. Develop and implement service policies, procedures, and programmatic goals in coordination with Surgery Service leadership. Manage clinic and OR scheduling to ensure efficient, timely, and high-quality delivery of orthopedic care. Responsible for recruitment, onboarding, orientation, mentoring, evaluation, and performance reviews of orthopedic staff. Review and participate in credentialing and privileging of section members. Promote evidence-based practice, patient safety, and process improvement initiatives. Ensure compliance with Joint Commission, OIG, VHA, and other regulatory standards. Oversee and resolve patient complaints and incidents involving orthopedic care. Education & Professional Development Provide teaching, supervision, and mentorship for residents, fellows, and medical students affiliated with academic partners. Participate in and support scholarly activities, clinical research initiatives, and continuing education relevant to orthopedic surgery. Attend required VA orientations, competency validations, licensure, and annual mandatory training. Quality Improvement & Compliance Participate in ongoing quality assurance, peer review, root-cause analysis, and mortality and morbidity conferences. Collaborate in development/maintenance of clinical practice guidelines and pathways for orthopedic care. Utilize data and evidence to monitor and improve section performance metrics. Patient Population Serve a diverse adult veteran population, including geriatric, polytrauma, and medically complex patients, while adapting care to meet individual needs and disabilities. Limitations All duties should be performed within the boundaries of granted privileges, applicable laws, and available institutional resources. The Chief may not independently perform procedures for which they are not specifically privileged. Refers complex cases to outside consultants or higher level of care when indicated. Continuity & Coverage Ensure appropriate cross-coverage for planned and unplanned absences. Coordinate with the Surgery Service for on-call responsibilities as per call schedule.
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. 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.
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.
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