Physician-Chief of Surgery

This position may be 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 4 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.

Qualifications:

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.

Basic 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 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 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR
  [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR
  (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), 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.
  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 or fee-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.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Preferred Experience: Board certified in specialized specialty

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements:
Light lighting (under 15 pounds)
Light carrying (under 15 pounds)
Use of fingers
Walking (1 hour)
Standing (4 hours)
Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
Ability to distinguish basic colors
Hearing (aid may be permitted)
Emotional/Mental Stability

Responsibilities:

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

This is an Open Continuous Announcement and may be extended beyond the current closing date of January 30, 2026 until the position is filled. Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis during the duration of the announcement. Once a selection is made and offer is accepted the announcement may close pending no additional vacancies.

Fayetteville is nestled in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, and is an outdoor paradise with hiking, golf, fishing, rafting, boating, and four distinct seasons. Fayetteville is the home of the University of Arkansas "Razorbacks" which provides the community with a college atmosphere. The area is home to several fortune 500 businesses such as Wal-Mart, Tyson Foods, and J. B. Hunt Trucking, who have been generous benefactors for the community and the arts. In the neighboring community of Bentonville, Crystal Bridges Museum has been labeled as one the top 10 must see places in America. Fayetteville has outstanding public schools, excellent parks and trail system and is ranked as 4th "best college sports town" and 8th for business and careers by Forbes Magazine. Fayetteville is ranked as 7th best city in America to work, live and play by Kiplinger. The cost of living is 90% of the national average with affordable housing available in all price ranges.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized to a highly qualified candidate
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 Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO), Fayetteville , Arkansas is seeking a full time physician who is board certified in General Surgery or General Surgery with sub-specialty training and has a strong demonstrated track record of surgical experience. The incumbent will be responsible for the overall operations and supervision of a surgical department including medical staff leadership, resident education, quality improvement and provision of inpatient and outpatient care to our veterans.

The VHSO's Surgical Service is a secondary care service offering a variety of surgical services including the following surgical disciplines: General Surgery, Orthopedics, Urology, GYN, Podiatry, Ophthalmology, ENT, Anesthesia, and Consultative Neurosurgery each with a high volume clinic operation and both ambulatory and inpatient surgery programs.

Outstanding interpersonal skills are essential, as the successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary staff in the delivery of excellent health care to our nation's Veterans. The Chief of Surgery will be expected to practice within their specialty, in addition to fulfilling their administrative responsibilities. Candidates must have the skill set to interact positively with the Medical Center 's leadership team to lead and promote surgical staff excellence and staff development.

Work Schedule: To be discussed with the hiring manager.

Salary : $1,000 - $300,000