Excellent Academic General Surgery Opportunity in the Beautiful Pacific Northwest - Seattle, WA

Staff General Surgeon – Seattle, WA, Veterans Affairs Health Care Academic faculty position

If you are looking for work-life balance in the context of a rewarding academic surgical career, please consider an opportunity with the Veterans Healthcare System.

Opportunity Details

The Surgery Service Line at VA Puget Sound is seeking a board-certified or board-eligible General Surgeon capable of performing a broad range of surgical procedures.  The person hired into this position will join a well established group that includes five other general surgeons and will be assigned weekly OR time and clinic time.  Call responsibilities will include acute care surgical coverage of one week out of every six, without trauma responsibilities.

The General Surgeon Candidate should be willing to do a spectrum of broad-based general surgery (e.g., hernia repair, cholecystectomy, benign anorectal disease, et al.) in addition to any particular area of subspecialty expertise; surgical oncology or surgical critical care training/experience are preferred.  The incumbent will provide direct patient care in an outpatient clinic, inpatient setting, operating room, emergency department and other locations as deemed necessary by Chief of Surgery or Facility leadership.

The Surgery Service Line strives to maintain a safe working environment, in which we identify and address issues and concerns as they relate to safety and well-being within the General Surgery Section.

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers veterans the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the United States. We operate more than 1,400 sites of care, including 153 medical centers, 909 ambulatory and community-based outpatient clinics, 135 nursing homes, 232 Veterans centers, 47 readjustment counseling centers, and 108 comprehensive home-care programs, across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories.  VA Puget Sound is a Level 1a tertiary care facility serving over 160,000 veteran enrollees, and has a robust academic affiliation with the University of Washington School of Medicine.  This position will include a faculty appointment within the University of Washington Department of Surgery, and dedicated time towards research and/or education efforts may be negotiated.

Licensure: Full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory.

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

The expected salary ranges from $350,000 to $400,000.

May include up to $15,000 in Annual Performance Bonus

Candidates may be eligible for a recruitment or relocation bonus

**Tax Free - May be eligible to apply for the Education Debt Reduction Program and, if approved, receive up to $200k in school loan repayment Tax Free.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Paid Time Off: 26 days of annual paid leave per year, plus 13 days of paid sick leave. 

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and a 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)
CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement
Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided
Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restrictions on moonlighting

VA Puget Sound Health Care System – Seattle, WA

The VAPSHCS is a Joint Commission accredited, referral level 1a/high complexity, 459 bed facility serving Veterans in Washington State, including the rapidly expanding Puget Sound area. This exciting job opportunity awaits you in our state-of-the-art VA facility in the city.  The operating room has a DaVinci XI robotic program and a hybrid OR suite.  VAPSHCS is among the VA Medical Centers that have been improving the health of the men and women who have so proudly served our nation. In addition to an outstanding General Surgery Section, we have high quality surgical specialists representing all surgical departments and divisions at the University of Washington, interventional and general radiologists, advanced interventional gastroenterology, and gastrointestinal pathologists. The VAPSHCS has the fourth largest VA research program in the nation, including specialized centers to support health services research, epidemiologic research, and multi-center clinical research, among others.

Seattle, WA - Bing Videos

Seattle is known for its coffee, music and pleasant weather. The city is not only known for its breathtaking natural views but also a tech hub with some of the biggest tech companies including Amazon and Microsoft resided here. Also known for its prominent coffee culture and home to Starbucks, this place is a paradise for coffee lovers. Popular spots to visit include Seattle Barista Academy, Seattle great wheel and lush green Seward park.

Seattle, chief city of the state of Washington, U.S., seat (1853) of King county, the largest metropolis of the Pacific Northwest, and one of the largest and most affluent urban centers in the United States. A major port of entry and an air and sea gateway to Asia and Alaska, Seattle lies alongside Puget Sound, a deep inland arm of the northern Pacific Ocean, and is at the center of a conurbation that is defined roughly by Everett to the north, Bellevue to the east, and Tacoma to the south.

To Explore This Physician Opportunity Further

Please forward copy of your Curriculum Vitae (CV) to Henry "Hank" Laguatan, VA National Healthcare Recruitment Consultant @ Henry.Laguatan@va.gov or call (206) 459-7927.

VAPSHCS has a busy 231 bed tertiary medical center in Seattle providing a wide array of inpatient and outpatient surgical, medical, rehabilitation, and behavioral health services. Additional ambulatory care services are also provided at the American Lake Division in Tacoma, Washington, and at seven community based outpatient clinics in western Washington.

With a reputation for excellence, innovation and extraordinary care of our Nation’s heroes, VA Puget Sound strives to lead the nation in terms of quality, efficiency and public service through its proven record of innovation and extraordinary care of Veterans. As the primary referral site for VA's northwest region, VA Puget Sound provides care for Veteran populations encompassing Alaska, Montana, Idaho and Oregon.

Since 1923, VA Puget Sound Health Care System has distinguished itself as a leader in teaching, research and patient care while earning prestigious recognition as part of the largest health care network in the country. We consider it our privilege to serve your health care needs of more than 80,000 Veterans living in the Pacific Northwest.

Paid Time Off:

• 26 Days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave
• 13 Days paid sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation
• 11 Federal holidays with pay annually
• 5 Days paid absence to attend approved CME courses

Insurance:

• Health Insurance: VA employees have an outstanding number of health insurance plans from which to choose (premiums are partially paid by VA) Lifetime Healthcare Insurance options available
• Dental & Vision: Our insurance options also include exceptional vision and dental plans (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• VA employees have the option to use Flexible Spending Accounts, which allow you to use tax-free dollars to pay for medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance plan
• Term life insurance, family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government
• Long-term care insurance is available as an option

Federal Retirement Plan:

• VA employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits, 2) FERS-RAE basic benefits (pension), and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan
• How is the pension funded? VA employees automatically contribute 4.4% of their salary each pay period and the VA contributes 12.2% of the employee’s salary each pay period for a total annual contribution percentage equal to 16.6% of the employee’s salary
• Similar to the 401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector, the TSP allows employees to tax defer a portion of their income each year, subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. For calendar year 2020, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $19,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $25,500.
• The Federal Government also provides an automatic basic contribution (1% of salary) and up to 4% of salary in matching contributions, depending on the amount of the employee contribution
• For retired military personnel, these benefits are in addition to full monthly retirement pay or pension
• In addition to FERS, VA provides health care insurance coverage for retired personnel
• Disability Retirement
• Employees are vested in a federal pension after only 5 years service

Known for its world-renowned glass art, Tacoma’s vibrant urban core is alive with culture. Find yourself surrounded by creativity and city sophistication when you eat, shop and stroll Tacoma’s downtown. The friendly city inspires many to celebrate the melding of old and new. Explore the city's affinity for classic cars of yesteryear. Step into historic theaters to enjoy the latest in performing arts. The city’s many districts abound with culture. Stroll the museum district where you can explore art, glass and history. Wander among the eclectic mix of upbeat restaurants and music venues on Sixth Avenue. Shop the unique boutiques in the historic Proctor and Stadium districts, which bustle with foot traffic. Rooted in the arts, Tacoma is the place to be.  Tacoma is ideally situated along the saltwater banks of Puget Sound. Boasting stunning natural surroundings, you don’t need to pack hiking boots to enjoy the mesmerizing outdoors. Explore the parks, gardens and wildlife that make Tacoma a nature wonderland. Or just enjoy the view on one of the many waterfront restaurants.  The nature in Tacoma extends beyond just land. Comb the beaches of the water’s edge and test the open waters in a kayak or boat. Come experience Tacoma’s nature—rain or shine. There’s plenty for you do to, both indoors and out. Check out the City of Tacoma.

Mission Statement

To fulfill President Lincoln's promise “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s Veterans.

Core Values

VA’s five core values underscore the obligations inherent in VA’s mission: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. The core values define “who we are,” our culture, and how we care for Veterans and eligible beneficiaries. Our values are more than just words – they affect outcomes in our daily interactions with Veterans and eligible beneficiaries and with each other. Taking the first letter of each word—Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence—creates a powerful acronym, “I CARE,” that reminds each VA employee of the importance of their role in this Department. These core values come together as five promises we make as individuals and as an organization to those we serve.

Integrity: Act with high moral principle. Adhere to the highest professional standards. Maintain the trust and confidence of all with whom I engage.

Commitment: Work diligently to serve Veterans and other beneficiaries. Be driven by an earnest belief in VA’s mission. Fulfill my individual responsibilities and organizational responsibilities.

Advocacy: Be truly Veteran-centric by identifying, fully considering, and appropriately advancing the interests of Veterans and other beneficiaries.

Respect: Treat all those I serve and with whom I work with dignity and respect. Show respect to earn it.

Excellence: Strive for the highest quality and continuous improvement. Be thoughtful and decisive in leadership, accountable for my actions, willing to admit mistakes, and rigorous in correcting them.

VA Puget Sound is primarily affiliated with the University of Washington Medical Center* and also maintains affiliations with over 50 other educational institutions. Each year, we train hundreds of medical residents and allied health professionals each year in audiology and speech pathology, dietetics, HRS&D, radiology, optometry, podiatry, occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreation therapy, psychology, health information management, information technology, medical informatics and other health care programs. Additionally, we train between 15-20 dental residents each year. We are also affiliated with several nursing schools, annually hosting over 500 nursing-auxiliary students and over 300 nursing-professional students.

Each year, VA Puget Sound funds over 700 medical and dental resident slots. Training is also provided to over 100 nursing and associated health trainees.