Physician - Chief Thoracic Surgery

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.

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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 one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed.

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.

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 accrediting bodies for graduate medical education, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA), in the list published for the year the residency, or fellowship if applicable, was completed; OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship, first year of residency, or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States; OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement), 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.

Exceptions: Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e., not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis.

PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather, they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs.

In rare and unusual circumstances, the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer, who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience, accomplishments, performance, and qualifications warrant such action. Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Additional Requirements: America Board Certification in Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Surgery-approved residency (or equivalent) Preferred Experience: Demonstrated leadership experience managing clinical staff, performance evaluations, scheduling, and conflict resolution. Experience supervising and teaching residents/fellows in an ACGME-accredited program. Peer-reviewed publication record or active research involvement in thoracic surgery. Experience with multidisciplinary tumor boards and cancer care coordination.

Familiarity with VA systems (VistA/CPRS, VetPro, credentialing) preferred but not required for external candidates. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

02Physical Requirements

Applicants must meet physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required. This is a designated drug testing position. After appointment, you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Requires lifting 15-44 pounds; pushing (approx. 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers and both hands; walking and standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.

Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Hearing aid is permitted.

The Department of Surgery at the VA Boston Healthcare System (VABHCS) is seeking an exceptional surgeon to serve as Chief of the Section of General Thoracic Surgery. VABHCS is the major tertiary referral center for Veterans across New England and is academically affiliated with Harvard Medical School (HMS), Boston University (BU), and the thoracic divisions at Mass General Brigham.

Major Duties: - Clinical Care: Provide surgical care for lungs, esophageal, mediastinal, pleural, and chest wall disease, including thoracic oncology. Oversee lung transplant activities, including evaluation, perioperative care, and compliance.

Maintain an active operative practice and serve as the facility's expert consultant for complex thoracic cases. - Multidisciplinary Leadership: Lead the thoracic tumor board; oversee lung cancer screening and pulmonary nodule programs; coordinate timely referrals through Community Care. - Quality & Safety: Monitor outcomes through VASQIP; lead peer review, FPPE/OPPE, M&M, and corrective action; ensure compliance with VHA, Joint Commission, and National Surgery Office standards. - Administration: Oversee staffing, recruitment, credentialing, budget, equipment, OR scheduling, and productivity; develop section policies and clinical pathways; report to the Chief of Surgery. - Supervision & Mentorship: Supervise, mentor, and evaluate surgeons and advanced practice providers. - Education & Research: Teach residents, fellows, and students; support clinical research and quality improvement initiatives. - Veteran-Centered Care: Address exposure-related conditions (burn pits, asbestos, PACT Act); integrate smoking cessation, prehabilitation, palliative care, and suicide prevention screening/coordination. - Regional/National Engagement: Collaborate with VISN and national VA program offices; provide tele-consultation support to other VA facilities. - Additional Requirements: America Board Certification in Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Surgery-approved residency (or equivalent).

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Available for highly qualified eligible applicant Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact, VHA EDRP Program Support [email protected], for questions or assistance on how to begin the application process.

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 Work Schedule: Full-time; Days; Schedule to be discussed with supervisor.