Critical Care Surgeon | Phoenix VA Health Care System

Critical Care Surgeon | Phoenix VA Health Care System

Serve Those Who Served – Advance Your Career with the VA

Are you seeking a fulfilling surgical role while making a profound impact on the lives of Veterans? The Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS) in vibrant Phoenix, Arizona invites applications from Board-Certified/Board-Eligible Critical Care Surgeons to join our exceptional team.

Why Join Our Team?

• Meaningful Work: Contribute to the most noble mission in healthcare by helping Veterans thrive.
• Generous Compensation: Receive a highly competitive salary complemented by annual performance bonuses and regular salary increases.
• Exceptional Paid Time Off: Enjoy 50–55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and up to 5 days paid CME absence).
• Outstanding Benefits:
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) plus a federal 401k with up to 5% VA match.
• Comprehensive Insurance: Robust federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care coverage—many plans are portable into retirement.
• Malpractice Protection: Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• CME Support: Annual CME reimbursement of up to $1,000.
• Flexible Employment: No Physician Employment Contract, offering flexibility and minimal moonlighting restrictions.

Basic Qualifications:

• Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (or equivalent).
• One unrestricted license from any U.S. State or territory—must be maintained active and current.
• U.S. Citizenship required. Non-citizens considered only when qualified U.S. citizens are unavailable, per VA policy.

Discover Phoenix, Arizona: Phoenix combines sunny weather year-round, breathtaking desert landscapes, and a vibrant metropolitan culture. As the nation’s fifth-largest city, Phoenix offers everything from world-class resorts, golf, and outdoor adventure to dynamic arts, dining, and entertainment scenes.

Ready for a rewarding career and exceptional quality of life?

Submit your CV today: Timothy A. Bernau Email: timothy.bernau@va.gov
Phone: 623-920-1304

Join PVAHCS and dedicate your expertise to a mission that matters!

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

About the Phoenix VA Health Care System 

Basking in sunshine 300 days a year in the aptly named Valley of the Sun, The Phoenix VA Health Care System is located near downtown Phoenix, Arizona. Although renowned for its warm, dry climate, Arizona’s capitol offers much more than great weather.  The Phoenix metro area, now America’s 5^th largest city, offers affordable housing and a relaxed, informal southwestern lifestyle.

Diversity abounds.  Greater Phoenix has an abundance of golf courses, parks, public swimming pools and bike paths.  For the sports fans Phoenix is home to the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, NFL's Arizona Cardinals; major league baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks and the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes.  Across the state, more than 11 million acres of national forest lands provide a varied playground for those who enjoy skiing, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, boating, hiking or camping….for the more adventurous, there's white water rafting on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon!   

For city dwellers, the valley boasts exceptional shopping and retail establishments, restaurants and night life.  The valley is also rapidly gaining prominence as a Mecca for the arts.  Phoenix possesses world class museums, a ballet, symphony orchestra and several theater companies.

The Phoenix VA Health Care System proudly serves Veterans in central Arizona at its main medical center and outpatient VA Health Care Clinics.

The Phoenix VA Health Care System is joining a growing number of VA health care facilities in adopting a new method of health care delivery called Patient Aligned Care Teams or PACTs.  This system is even more patient-centered and focuses heavily on quick and easy communication between patients and their health care providers.