Chief of Surgery Jobs
Chief of Surgery jobs are open across hospital systems, academic medical centers, and integrated health networks, at every level from newly appointed department head to veteran system-wide surgical director, with specializations in trauma surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, and general surgery. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 22+ Chief of Surgery jobs
Summary
This position is 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 four 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. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Clarification from the agency
All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.
Duties
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized for highly qualified candidate
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Authorized for highly qualified candidate
Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Authorized for this position. Learn more.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact David Billingsley at david.billingsleyjr@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
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
Major duties include:
- Oversight of clinical and administrative management for assigned section/specialty.
- Responsible for the quality of care delivered by the section/specialty assigned and accountable to any governing body for all aspects of that care performed by section/specialty providers.
- Supervise staff within the section/specialty assigned.
- Ensure the clinic is staffed appropriately and requests appropriate staffing levels are changed as needed.
- Maintain compliance and holds staff accountable for compliance with VA, VHA Bylaws, policies, and procedures.
- Oversee section/specialty needs and assist with inspection of specialty clinical and administrative issues when directed as a part of VA, VHA, TJC (The Joint Commission), JACHO, OIG and any other audits.
- Act as Service Chief when directed for coverage when Service Chief is unavailable
- Serve and participate in committees internal to VA as well as external when required.
- Assign staff in section/specialty tasks and ensures staff tasks and duties are evenly distributed.
- Assign staff in section/specialty to attend meetings and or committees as needed.
- Resolve conflicts within section/specialty to avoid disruption in patient care or clinic flow
- Surveillance of the professional performance of al individuals supervised and completes performance evaluations, focused professional practice evaluations, ongoing professional practice evaluations and any other performance measurement tools as required by policy or law.
- Develop and implement policies, manuals, procedure guides, such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) as needed or required.
- Maintain and contribute to quality control programs as assigned or appropriate.
- Review and monitor space and other resources for the section/specialty assigned.
- Attend Service meetings
- Hold section/specialty meetings as needed.
- Hold appropriate staff accountable for clinical, administrative, and surgical documentation, encounters, signed notes, consult review, and ensures timely entry and response.
- Assign Operating Room times and rooms for section/specialty within section/specialty block times, and review cases for assigned specialty for urgency of need and priority.
- Assist Surgery service administrative staff with ensuring specialty clinic staff is accountable for education, occupational health, Human Resources, and clinical responsibilities.
- Approve and deny Leave requests as well as certify timecards for assigned staff
- Labor mapping and productivity reporting for assigned staff
- Complete or assign staff to engage new section/specialty employees for service/specialty/OR orientation.
- Understand and use proper Chain of Command when reporting issues or concerns to appropriate parties and keep the Service Chief informed of any ongoing issues.
- Resolve or assign staff to resolve customer service issues for Section/specialty
Work Schedule: Full-time. Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
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 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.
Preferred Experience: Healthcare leadership or Business management experience preferred
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements:
This position may require potentially long periods of walking, standing, and sitting; some light lifting, reaching overhead, bending, stooping, and work in front of a computer. This position requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.
Work Environment:
Work is performed in a health care setting with adequate lighting, heating and cooling. Work may involve exposure to infection and possible contagious diseases. Standard precautions and isolation techniques will be employed as indicated. There may be occasion where response to physical and/or verbal abuse by patients requires knowledge gained from ongoing violence in the workplace training.
Education
- Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted.
- Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for the year in which the degree was granted.
- For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, confirmation must be made that the medical school meets (or met) Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) eligibility requirement for year graduated.
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must submit a C.V. and/or resume. Other documents may be requested later in the process if needed.
For Education institution and Residency completed, please be sure the name, address and month/year of attendance and completion is included in resume/CV to ensure qualification determination can be made.
How to Apply
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Agency contact information
921 Northeast 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. We will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued, and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
Overview
Education and length of practice are considered through a formal pay-setting process to determine the final compensable salary (Base Pay + Market Pay)
- 0602 Medical Officer
- Credentialing
- Suitability/Fitness
Summary
This position is 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 four 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. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Clarification from the agency
All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.
Duties
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized for highly qualified candidate
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Authorized for highly qualified candidate
Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Authorized for this position. Learn more.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact David Billingsley at david.billingsleyjr@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
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
Major duties include:
- Oversight of clinical and administrative management for assigned section/specialty.
- Responsible for the quality of care delivered by the section/specialty assigned and accountable to any governing body for all aspects of that care performed by section/specialty providers.
- Supervise staff within the section/specialty assigned.
- Ensure the clinic is staffed appropriately and requests appropriate staffing levels are changed as needed.
- Maintain compliance and holds staff accountable for compliance with VA, VHA Bylaws, policies, and procedures.
- Oversee section/specialty needs and assist with inspection of specialty clinical and administrative issues when directed as a part of VA, VHA, TJC (The Joint Commission), JACHO, OIG and any other audits.
- Act as Service Chief when directed for coverage when Service Chief is unavailable
- Serve and participate in committees internal to VA as well as external when required.
- Assign staff in section/specialty tasks and ensures staff tasks and duties are evenly distributed.
- Assign staff in section/specialty to attend meetings and or committees as needed.
- Resolve conflicts within section/specialty to avoid disruption in patient care or clinic flow
- Surveillance of the professional performance of al individuals supervised and completes performance evaluations, focused professional practice evaluations, ongoing professional practice evaluations and any other performance measurement tools as required by policy or law.
- Develop and implement policies, manuals, procedure guides, such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) as needed or required.
- Maintain and contribute to quality control programs as assigned or appropriate.
- Review and monitor space and other resources for the section/specialty assigned.
- Attend Service meetings
- Hold section/specialty meetings as needed.
- Hold appropriate staff accountable for clinical, administrative, and surgical documentation, encounters, signed notes, consult review, and ensures timely entry and response.
- Assign Operating Room times and rooms for section/specialty within section/specialty block times, and review cases for assigned specialty for urgency of need and priority.
- Assist Surgery service administrative staff with ensuring specialty clinic staff is accountable for education, occupational health, Human Resources, and clinical responsibilities.
- Approve and deny Leave requests as well as certify timecards for assigned staff
- Labor mapping and productivity reporting for assigned staff
- Complete or assign staff to engage new section/specialty employees for service/specialty/OR orientation.
- Understand and use proper Chain of Command when reporting issues or concerns to appropriate parties and keep the Service Chief informed of any ongoing issues.
- Resolve or assign staff to resolve customer service issues for Section/specialty
Work Schedule: Full-time. Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
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 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.
Preferred Experience: Healthcare leadership or Business management experience preferred
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements:
This position may require potentially long periods of walking, standing, and sitting; some light lifting, reaching overhead, bending, stooping, and work in front of a computer. This position requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.
Work Environment:
Work is performed in a health care setting with adequate lighting, heating and cooling. Work may involve exposure to infection and possible contagious diseases. Standard precautions and isolation techniques will be employed as indicated. There may be occasion where response to physical and/or verbal abuse by patients requires knowledge gained from ongoing violence in the workplace training.
Education
- Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted.
- Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for the year in which the degree was granted.
- For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, confirmation must be made that the medical school meets (or met) Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) eligibility requirement for year graduated.
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must submit a C.V. and/or resume. Other documents may be requested later in the process if needed.
For Education institution and Residency completed, please be sure the name, address and month/year of attendance and completion is included in resume/CV to ensure qualification determination can be made.
How to Apply
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Agency contact information
921 Northeast 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. We will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued, and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
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Overview
Education and length of practice are considered through a formal pay-setting process to determine the final compensable salary (Base Pay + Market Pay)
- 0602 Medical Officer
- Credentialing
- Suitability/Fitness
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Find Chief of Surgery JobsChief of Surgery Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in chief of surgery jobs.
- Board certification in a recognized surgical specialty such as general surgery or cardiothoracic surgery
- Active and unrestricted state medical license with full hospital privileging in the relevant surgical specialty
- Minimum of ten years of clinical surgical experience with demonstrated progression into leadership roles
- Experience in surgical quality improvement, peer review oversight, and accreditation compliance programs
- Proven ability to manage surgical department budgets, staffing plans, and capital equipment requests
- Familiarity with electronic health record systems and surgical case management workflows
Tips for Your Chief of Surgery Job Search
Tailor your CV to leadership metrics
Chief of surgery candidates are evaluated on outcomes, not just credentials. Quantify surgical volume you oversaw, mortality and complication rate improvements under your leadership, and departmental budget responsibility. Generic clinical CVs don't surface these distinctions.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists chief of surgery openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Distinguish board roles from operational ones
Some chief of surgery postings are primarily administrative, others keep heavy OR time. Read the job description for OR hours expectations and committee obligations before applying so your cover letter addresses the actual role structure, not a generic version of the title.
Align your references with the committee process
Most hospital credentialing and medical staff office committees will independently contact your references. Prep two or three colleagues in advance who can speak specifically to your peer review participation, surgical outcomes, and team conflict resolution, not just your clinical skill.
Prepare a surgical program vision statement
Many interviews at the department head level include a formal presentation. Build a concise program vision that addresses volume growth, quality metrics, resident training goals, and service line development so you're not constructing it under time pressure after an interview invite arrives.
Negotiate scope before title or compensation
Lock down reporting structure, protected administrative time, hiring authority over staff surgeons, and capital equipment request access before the offer is finalized. These structural details are harder to change post-hire and directly affect whether you can execute on any program goals.
Chief of Surgery Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most chief of surgerys?
US Department of Veterans Affairs, University of Arizona, and UT Southwestern Medical Center are hiring the most chief of surgerys right now, with openings concentrated in Texas, Arizona, and Florida, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Health systems with large trauma centers and academic affiliations tend to post the most openings at this level.
How many chief of surgery jobs are remote?
About 23% of chief of surgery openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on clinical and administrative presence most roles require on site. Telehealth consultation responsibilities and administrative duties such as committee meetings and credentialing reviews are the sub-areas most likely to carry some remote flexibility.
How do you become a chief of surgery?
You typically complete a surgical residency and fellowship, achieve board certification in your specialty, and build several years of active clinical practice before moving into formal leadership. From there, taking on roles such as surgical section chief, quality committee chair, or interim department director builds the administrative record most search committees want to see before appointing a chief of surgery.
Can you get a chief of surgery job with limited leadership experience?
Most health systems require documented department or section leadership before appointing a chief of surgery, but smaller community hospitals and federally qualified health centers sometimes hire highly credentialed surgeons into their first formal chief role. Candidates with strong quality improvement records, graduate medical education involvement, or service line development experience are better positioned to make that transition without an extensive prior chief title.
What does the chief of surgery interview process look like?
The process typically starts with a phone or video screen by the physician recruitment team, followed by a formal on-site visit that includes individual meetings with the CMO, CNO, department surgeons, and sometimes the board. Many institutions ask candidates to present a vision for the surgical program. A second visit or reference deep-dive through the medical staff office is common before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to chief of surgery jobs?
You can find and apply to chief of surgery jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from hospital systems and health networks across the United States. Find the roles that fit your specialty and leadership background and apply directly to each listing from the page.
See All 22 Chief of Surgery Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Chief of Surgery Jobs