Physician (Chief of Surgery)

Summary

Chief of Surgery functions as the direct report to the Surgical Care Services of the New Mexico VA Health Care System. This position carries the possibility of a joint faculty appointment at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine Department of Surgery. Applicants must have the appropriate credentials for a faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor level or higher at the University of New Mexico Health Science Center.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship: Eligible only if no qualified citizen can be recruited in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education: Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in medicine or osteopathic medicine from a school approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Licensure: Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or District of Columbia.
• Residency Training: Completed residency in an accredited core specialty program approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, leading to board‑certification eligibility.
• Board Certification: Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery (or eligible to be board certified).
• Faculty Appointment: Credentials for a faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor level or higher at the University of New Mexico Health Science Center.
• Reference: For more information on qualification standards visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements

• Moderate lifting 15–44 pounds.
• Repetitive pushing, pulling, and reaching over shoulder (4 hours).
• Use of both hands and fingers.
• Walking 2 hours; standing 7 hours; kneeling 1 hour; repeated bending 4 hours.
• Both legs required; vision and hearing within specified limits.
• Mental and emotional stability required.

Duties

• Maintain all operations within the Surgical Care Service and provide direct supervision to Section Chiefs and all providers.
• Optimize utilization of clinical systems, infrastructure, and resources through education, training, quality improvement, and outcomes initiatives.
• Collaborate with facility staff, department directors, and physicians to uphold high standards of quality and services.
• Plan and conduct strategic and operational planning, addressing process improvement issues.
• Provide inpatient and outpatient consultative surgical services, including operative care, supervising residents, and responding to secure messages and phone calls.
• Remain current on licensing, board requirements, VA training, and employment requirements, ensuring compliance for all clinical staff.
• Ensure that all work performed involves board‑certified or board‑eligible physicians in the respective surgical specialty.
• Work schedule: Monday–Friday 8:00 am–4:30 pm MT (subject to change based on agency needs).