Medical Director - Liver Transplant (Transplant Hepatologist)

Medical Director – Liver Transplant (Transplant Hepatologist) Needed at VA Pittsburgh Medical Center

**Eligible for up to $200k in student loan reimbursement and a hiring incentive/bonus **

**Non-US Citizen Visa/Green Card Holders will be considered**

The Pittsburgh VA Health Care System (VAPHS), among the most innovative and forward-looking in the nation, provides exceptional healthcare to our nation’s Veterans, trains America’s future healthcare providers, and conducts research that contributes to medical advancements.

We are seeking a highly qualified Transplant Hepatologist to serve as Medical Director of Liver Transplant to join our team. This role blends clinical excellence, program leadership, education, and collaborative team-based care. As the Liver Transplant Medical Director, you will be a key member of a nationally recognized transplant center within the VA system, working closely with National partners to deliver liver transplant evaluations, optimize Veteran transplant candidates, and ensure continuity of care post-transplant.

Duties include but are not limited to:

Veteran-Centered Liver Transplantation

• Diagnose and manage the full spectrum of chronic liver diseases, including hepatitis C, NAFLD/NASH, autoimmune liver disease, and alcohol-associated liver disease.
• Coordinate and conduct comprehensive pre- and post-liver transplant evaluations, including medical optimization and longitudinal transplant care in partnership with VA transplant centers.
• Actively participate in multidisciplinary transplant boards and collaborate with hepatology, surgery, psychology, addiction medicine, pharmacy, and social work teams.

Development of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Optimization Program

• Lead the design and implementation of a dedicated AUD care pathway for Veterans with alcohol-associated liver disease being considered for transplant.
• Work alongside transplant psychologists and addiction medicine specialists to provide integrated, evidence-based care-including structured behavioral interventions, abstinence monitoring, and relapse prevention plans.
• Establish robust post-transplant monitoring and support protocols tailored to the needs of Veterans, including coordination with VA mental health services and community resources.

Other Key Duties

• Active participation in the weekly Tumor Board to evaluate and discuss complex oncology cases.
• Attendance at the weekly Transplant Huddle to coordinate care and align on patient management strategies.
• Leadership of the Transplant Selection Committee, guiding multidisciplinary decisions on transplant candidacy.
• Engagement in the Liver Transplant Multidisciplinary Clinic, working closely with a team of specialists to provide comprehensive patient care.
• Management of a personal Telehealth Clinic, offering remote consults and continuity of care for transplant patients.
• Oversight of post-transplant monitoring and long-term care, ensuring optimal patient outcomes and addressing complications.
• Review and acceptance of referrals from VA referral centers nationwide, ensuring timely access to transplant services.
• Triage of clinical calls from referring VA facilities, providing expert guidance on the care of veteran patients.

Preferred Experience: Candidates should be board eligible or certified in Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology, with accredited fellowship training in Gastroenterology, fellowship training in Transplant Hepatology as well as competence in general GI endoscopy.

Work Schedule:  Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm
Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Eligible for up to $200k in student loan reimbursement

Hiring Incentive: Incentives are authorized for highly qualified candidates

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

Pittsburgh Highlights:

• Family-friendly city with low cost of living and affordable housing in green, beautiful neighborhoods
• Abundant historical/cultural sites and events including the Carnegie Museums (Art, Natural History, Science, and Andy Warhol), a multitude of other visual/performing arts institutions, and a lively music scene featuring local, national, and international stars.
• Plenty of outdoor activities with green parks for hiking/biking (Schenley Park, Frick Park, and Highland Park) and rivers for canoeing and kayaking.
• If you are a sports fan, Pittsburgh is home to the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates professional teams.  
• Pittsburgh International Airport for ease of travel to your other favorite destinations.

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 2025, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $23,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $31,000.
• 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

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System is an integrated healthcare system that proudly serves the Veteran population throughout the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. It is our mission to care for America’s Veterans and provide them with excellent health care.

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System consists of three divisions: a major medical and surgical tertiary care facility, a behavioral health facility, and a community living center and a Veterans recovery center, all complemented by five community based outpatient clinics.

The city of Pittsburgh has been repeatedly ranked as the most livable US city by such publications as The Economist, Places Rated Almanac, and Forbes Magazine. The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System offers a unique opportunity to practice in a leading US medical community within an affordable and thriving city.