Become a Staff Physician in Cardiac Anesthesiology at the VA St. Louis Health Care System

Finding a clinical position that balances top-tier professional challenges with a genuine, patient-focused mission can be difficult in today’s high-stress healthcare landscape. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a unique alternative. We are seeking a dedicated, highly skilled Staff Physician in Cardiac Anesthesiology to join the professional medical team at the VHA Saint Louis VA Health Care System in Missouri.

This position provides critical anesthesia services to those who served in the United States military. For board-eligible or board-certified anesthesiologists, this role offers a stable environment, state-of-the-art clinical resources, and an outstanding quality of life. Backed by a competitive, guaranteed salary of $400,000 per year, extensive malpractice coverage, and an outstanding student loan reimbursement program, this position represents a premiere career path in anesthesiology.

About the Agency: Caring for Our Nation’s Heroes

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, providing comprehensive care to millions of Veterans daily. Guided by President Abraham Lincoln's historic promise—"To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors"—the VHA operates with deep respect, clinical excellence, and innovation.

The VA Saint Louis Health Care System is a multi-divisional clinical network serving veterans across Missouri and southern Illinois. This teaching facility provides advanced inpatient and outpatient medical care, surgery, and mental health services. Working here allows you to join a collaborative environment of physicians, nurse anesthetists, residents, and healthcare professionals who prioritize high-quality care over administrative red tape and volume-based metrics.

Job Responsibilities: Advanced Perioperative Care

As a Staff Physician in Cardiac Anesthesiology, you will manage all phases of anesthesiology services for Veterans undergoing complex surgical procedures, with a focus on cardiac and structural heart cases. Your daily clinical activities will span five core areas:

1. Preoperative Evaluation

Conduct comprehensive preoperative assessments, including physical examinations, medical history reviews, and evaluations of diagnostic tests.
Collaborate with surgical and cardiology teams to identify anesthetic risk factors.
Develop and document individualized, evidence-based anesthesia care plans suited to the patient’s physical status and the planned procedure.

2. Intraoperative Anesthesia Management

Administer general, regional, local, and sedation anesthetics for complex surgeries, including cardiac procedures, structural heart repairs, and thoracics.
Utilize advanced clinical monitors and techniques, such as transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), to assess hemodynamic status and cardiac function during surgery.
Implement safety protocols to mitigate risks and manage acute, life-threatening intraoperative events.

3. Postoperative Care & Acute Pain Management

Oversee patient recovery in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), managing airway support, hemodynamics, and emerging post-surgical complications.
Create tailored post-operative pain management plans using multimodal analgesia techniques, including peripheral nerve blocks and epidural infusions.

4. Critical Care Support

Provide consultative anesthesiology services in critical care environments, including the intensive care unit (ICU).
Assist in managing unstable, critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation, advanced hemodynamic support, or resuscitation.

5. Teaching, Mentorship, and Quality Improvement

Train and mentor anesthesia residents, student nurse anesthetists (SRNAs), and medical students.
Participate in administrative committees, academic presentations, morbidity and mortality (M&M) reviews, and continuous quality improvement processes.

Qualification Requirements

To maintain high clinical standards, candidates must meet all basic and specialized qualification criteria:

Citizenship: Must be a United States citizen. Non-citizens are only considered when no qualified citizens are available.
Education: A Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from an accredited medical school.
Licensure: An active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Residency Training: Completion of an approved residency training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
English Proficiency: Must be fully proficient in spoken and written English.
Physical Standards: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination verifying the physical and mental capacity to stand for long periods, perform manual procedures, and manage high-stress medical emergencies.
Additional Compliance: Subject to background investigations, credentialing verification, pre-employment drug screening (urinalysis), and mandatory annual seasonal influenza vaccinations.

Preferred Asset: Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) certification is highly recommended due to the high volume of cardiac and structural heart cases handled by the department.

Salary Overview & Compensation Comparison

Compensation within the federal government is structured to ensure stability and long-term security. Rather than relying on productivity-based metrics or relative value units (RVUs), VHA physicians receive a high, stable base salary set through a formal credentialing board. For this role, the flat annual salary is set at $400,000.

To understand the financial advantages of this role, review how the VA’s total compensation package compares to typical private practice positions:

Benefit Feature	VA Saint Louis Health Care System	Typical Private Practice
Base Salary	$400,000 (Guaranteed, stable)	Variable (Productivity/RVU dependent)
Student Loan Repayment	Up to $200,000 (Via EDRP)	Rarely available or highly restricted
Paid Time Off (PTO)	50–55 Days Annually (Includes CME & Holidays)	20–30 Days (Often requires coverage buy-back)
Malpractice & Tail Coverage	$0 (Fully covered under Federal Tort Claims Act)	High out-of-pocket premiums / Tail expense
Employment Contract	No restrictive contracts or non-competes	Common restrictive covenants and non-compete clauses
Retirement Pension	Traditional federal pension (Vested in 5 years)	Rarely offered (Usually only 401k/403b)

Unmatched Benefits and Perks

The VA’s total compensation package extends far beyond base salary. As a full-time federal employee, you will have access to benefits rarely matched in the private sector:

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Highly qualified candidates may receive student loan reimbursement of up to $200,000 over five years.
Extensive Paid Time Off: Receive 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and up to 5 days of administrative leave for Continuing Medical Education (CME) annually.
Retirement Security: Benefit from a three-tiered retirement plan, including a traditional federal pension (vested after 5 years) and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching.
Comprehensive Insurance: Access excellent health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance programs, many of which can be carried into retirement.
CME Allowance: Eligible for up to $1,000 in annual reimbursement for training and professional development materials.
Malpractice Protection: Practice with peace of mind. Under the Federal Tort Claims Act, you are fully protected against liability with zero-cost malpractice and tail coverage.

Application Tips & Process

To apply for this position, you must submit a completed application through USAJOBS. Follow these guidelines to ensure your package is processed correctly:

Use the Required Clinical Resume Template: The VHA uses a standardized format for medical personnel. Download the official one-page Clinical Resume Document from the VA Careers website, complete it without modification, and upload it into the two-page restricted 'Resume' field on USAJOBS.
Provide Your Comprehensive CV: Upload your complete curriculum vitae, including details of your education, residency, board certifications, licenses, and specific clinical procedures (especially TEE experience), into the 'Other' document upload field.
Include Supporting Documents: If applicable, attach copies of your active medical licenses, board certifications, and DD-214 (for those claiming Veterans' Preference).
Apply Early: Although the application window remains open until August 13, 2027, the position may close early if a qualified candidate is selected.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I apply if I am currently completing my residency training?

A: Yes. Applicants completing their final year of accredited residency training may be referred and tentatively selected. However, you must meet all licensing and residency completion requirements before your official start date.

Q: Is relocation assistance available for this position?

A: While relocation is not guaranteed, a recruitment or relocation incentive (sign-on bonus) may be offered to highly qualified candidates at the discretion of the facility director.

Q: What is the clinical schedule for this anesthesiology position?

A: The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. However, to support emergency surgical needs, you will participate in a rotating on-call schedule that includes some nights, weekends, and federal holidays.

Q: Can I continue to moonlight if I accept this position?

A: Yes. Because there is no restrictive employment contract, VA physicians may engage in external professional activities, provided they comply with federal ethics guidelines and do not conflict with their VA duties.

The Staff Physician in Cardiac Anesthesiology position at the VHA Saint Louis VA Health Care System offers a rare combination of competitive compensation, professional growth, and mission-driven service. By managing perioperative care for veterans, you will make a profound difference in the lives of those who protected our country. Enjoy a generous $400,000 salary, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive clinical team. Apply today to secure your future in federal medicine.

Why This Staff Physician/Cardiac Anesthesiology Job Matters

Elevate your medical career by serving those who served. Lead state-of-the-art cardiac anesthesia care for America's heroes in St. Louis with a guaranteed $400,000 salary, unmatched federal benefits, and up to $200k in student loan repayment.

Staff Physician/Cardiac Anesthesiology Job Overview

The VHA Saint Louis VA Health Care System is seeking a highly skilled, compassionate Staff Physician in Cardiac Anesthesiology. In this vital clinical role, you will lead perioperative anesthesia care for complex cardiac surgeries, structural heart procedures, and critical care cases, directly impacting the health and well-being of our nation's military Veterans. With an incredible total rewards package including a $400,000 annual salary, extensive paid leave, and student loan reimbursement, this position offers an unparalleled opportunity to achieve professional fulfillment and an exceptional work-life balance.

Requirements for Staff Physician/Cardiac Anesthesiology

United States Citizenship (non-citizens are only considered when no qualified citizens are available).
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from an approved, accredited medical school.
Active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Completion of an approved residency training program accredited by the ACGME or AOA leading to board eligibility or certification.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Pass a pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation.
Must undergo a pre-employment drug screening (urinalysis) and participate in the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program.

Preferred Qualifications for Staff Physician/Cardiac Anesthesiology

Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) Board Certification (highly recommended).
Demonstrated experience in complex cardiac cases and structural heart procedures.
Proven track record of mentoring, teaching, and supervising anesthesiology residents and nurse anesthetists (CRNAs/SRNAs).

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Reimbursable student loan payments up to $200,000 over a 1 to 5-year period.
✓Generous Paid Time Off: 50 to 55 days of paid leave annually, featuring 26 annual leave days, 13 sick leave days, 11 federal holidays, and up to 5 days of paid CME absence.
✓Unmatched Federal Pension: Traditional federal retirement pension vesting in just 5 years, plus a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) 401(k) equivalent with up to 5% agency matching contributions.
✓Comprehensive Insurance Options: Premium selections of Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance (which can be carried into retirement).
✓Free Malpractice Protection: Complete federal liability protection with full tail coverage provided at no cost.
✓No Employment Contracts: Benefit from zero non-compete clauses and flexible policies with no significant restrictions on moonlighting.
✓CME Support: Up to $1,000 annual reimbursement for Continuing Medical Education (CME) expenses for eligible full-time board-certified physicians.

💡 How to Apply Staff Physician/Cardiac Anesthesiology Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Staff Physician/Cardiac Anesthesiology Job

Create or log into your existing USAJOBS account.
Download the standard Clinical Resume Document from the official VA Careers portal.
Upload the completed, un-modified one-page Clinical Resume Document directly into the two-page restricted 'Resume' upload field on USAJOBS.
Upload your comprehensive CV and any additional documents (such as licenses, DD-214 for Veterans' Preference, and board certifications) into the unrestricted 'Other' document upload field.
Complete the occupational questionnaire and submit your application package before the closing deadline.

💡 General Tips

Always use the required one-page Clinical Resume template for the main resume slot to ensure compliance with VHA HR standards, and place your multi-page medical CV in the 'Other' documents section.
Clearly highlight your clinical experiences, residency details, board certifications, and specialized procedures like TEE in your CV to ensure the credentials committee can verify all competencies.
If claiming Veterans' Preference, submit a legible copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 copy) and, if applicable, an SF-15 form with all required supporting documentation.
Review your submitted documents for legibility; errors, omissions, or unreadable files can lead to automatic disqualification during the initial credentialing review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the baseline salary for this position?

The base salary is a highly competitive, flat rate of $400,000 per year, determined through a formal Title 38 physician pay-setting process.

Is a specific state license required to practice at the Saint Louis VA?

No. You can practice at any VA medical facility with a single, active, and unrestricted medical license from any U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth.

What is the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)?

EDRP is a student loan reimbursement program that helps qualified clinicians pay down their qualifying professional student loans up to a maximum of $200,000 over five years of service.

Are there on-call responsibilities associated with this role?

Yes. While the standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, some weekend, holiday, and cardiac on-call coverage is required to ensure 24/7 patient safety.