Physician - Surgery; Chief of Service

Join to apply for the Physician - Surgery (Chief of Service) role at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
.

Position will be located in Muskogee, Oklahoma with required travel to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Base pay range: $230,000 – $400,000 per year.

• United States Citizenship (non‑citizens may only be appointed when no qualified citizens are available).
• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree from a VA‑approved school.
• Full, unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program leading to board‑certification eligibility.
• Approved residencies include ACGME‑accredited programs, AOA‑accredited programs, or non‑U.S. residency programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified U.S. practice, as deemed appropriate by the local Medical Staff Executive Committee.
• Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA‑accredited programs who meet the basic requirements may be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs).
• PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee‑basis.
• PRPs are not independent practitioners and will not be privileged; they have a scope of practice that allows restricted duties under supervision.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Experience as a Service Chief or other leadership position in a multispecialty surgical/service department and familiarity with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/.
• Physical requirements:
  
  pre‑employment physical; lifting 15‑44 pounds; pushing; reaching above shoulder; using fingers and both hands; walking and standing for 3‑5 hours and kneeling; rapid mental and muscular coordination; near vision correctable at 13″ to 16″ with Jaeger 1–4; far vision correctable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other; depth perception and color discrimination; hearing aid permitted.

• Assure timely and appropriate medical care of VA patients within the Service.
• Oversee technical and ancillary staff; mentor surgery residents or fellows rotating through the Service.
• Implement quality assurance and improvement measures; represent the service on medical center committees.
• Maintain service‑wide timely completion of operative notes, discharge summaries, progress notes, and orders.
• Work with the Service Administrative Officer and Program Support Assistants to achieve compliance with billing and MCCR requirements.
• Operate the OR block schedule, ensuring throughput and efficiency.
• Collect accurate data and communicate aggregated results to appropriate process owners and providers.
• Participate in VA Surgical Quality Program (VASQIP) activities and performance evaluations (OPPE, FPPE).
• Diagnose and treat patients with medical and surgical diseases through ambulatory and bed‑based resources.
• Attend inpatient care rounds, conferences, consultations, and ambulatory care activities.
• Attend/oversee clinics; maintain an active OR presence; participate in night/weekend integrated call coverage.
• Assume responsibilities related to the Physician/Provider Contract Buy Out Program and Eligibility for sign‑on bonuses.
• Maintain and adhere to work schedule Monday‑Friday 7:30 am‑4:00 pm.

• Competitive salary with annual performance bonus and regular salary increases.
• Paid time off: 50‑55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 sick days, 11 federal holidays, up to 5 CME days).
• Retirement: federal pension (vests after 5 years) and 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Federal health, vision, dental, life, and long‑term care insurance.
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
• No physician employment contract; moonlighting permitted.
• Contract Buy Out Program:
  Eligibility for service contracts at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a minimum of four years.

• Executive

• Full‑time

• Health Care Provider

• Government Administration