Discover an Exceptional Career Opportunity: VA Caribbean Healthcare System Seeks Board-Certified/Eligible Cardiothoracic Surgeons in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Are you passionate about delivering life-saving care to Veterans in a high-impact setting? The VA Caribbean Healthcare System (San Juan VA Medical Center)  is seeking a skilled Cardiothoracic Surgeon (full-time or part-time) to join our dedicated team in San Juan Puerto Rico . This is a rare opportunity to serve our nation’s heroes while enjoying the vibrant culture and natural beauty of the Caribbean.

Why Join Us?

• Meaningful Work: Provide critical surgical care to some of the sickest patient populations in the nation—Veterans who deserve world-class treatment.
• Strong Support Team: Work alongside a Cardiothoracic Nurse Practitioner and a soon-to-be-hired Physician Assistant for OR support.
• Specialized ICU Care: Collaborate with a dedicated Intensivist team in our state-of-the-art ICU.
• Predictable Schedule:
• OR Days: Monday & Wednesday (2 cases per day).
• Clinic Days: Tuesday & Friday.
• Hours: 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM (typical).
• No Teaching Duties: Focus solely on patient care and surgery.

Who We’re Looking For:

• Board-certified or board-eligible in Cardiothoracic Surgery.
• Fluent in Spanish (required for patient care).
• Experienced in cardiac, thoracic, and lung surgery.
• Committed to Veteran-centered care and teamwork.

Comprehensive Benefits:

• Competitive federal salary with performance incentives.
• Generous paid time off (26 days annual leave, 13 sick days, 11 federal holidays).
• Robust retirement plan (pension + 401K with up to 5% match).
• Malpractice coverage with tail protection included.
• Student loan repayment & relocation assistance (if applicable).

Why Puerto Rico?

San Juan offers an unmatched quality of life with:

• Stunning beaches, tropical climate, and outdoor adventures (hiking, diving, and more).
• Rich culture, historic Old San Juan, and world-class cuisine.
• No federal income tax for Puerto Rico residents.
• Easy travel to the U.S. mainland and Caribbean destinations (no passport needed for U.S. citizens!).

How to Apply:

If you’re ready to make a difference in the lives of Veterans while embracing island living, we want to hear from you! Submit your Resume immediately to:

Email: terrance.anderson@va.gov
Phone: (832) 417-0937

Join us at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System—where your expertise saves lives, and your career thrives in paradise!

?? Fun Facts About San Juan, Puerto Rico:

• Home to El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System.
• Features 500+ years of history with vibrant Spanish colonial architecture.
• Famous for salsa music, bioluminescent bays, and world-renowned coffee.

Your next career adventure awaits—apply today!

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