Chief, Radiation Oncology

Chief, Radiation Oncology
VA Boston Healthcare System
Faculty Appointment to Boston University School of Medicine

VA Boston Healthcare System (VABHS) is currently seeking a Chief of Radiation Oncology. Cancer Services at VABHS are delivered in a multidisciplinary setting in collaboration with Medical and Surgical Oncology. Additionally, we have a very active and growing stereotactic program and plan to begin enrollment of patients on the Veterans Affairs Lung Cancer or Stereotactic Radiotherapy (VA VALOR) Trial.  There is ample opportunity to participate in several cooperative clinical trial groups. We seek candidates who wish to join this established team of therapists, nursing and administrative staff. The workplace is modern, pleasant, attractive and supportive. Salary is competitive with academic medical centers in Boston. 

The Radiation Oncology Service is affiliated with Boston University Medical Center (BUMC), and the VA Radiation Oncologists will have the opportunity to participate in clinical and academic activities at BUMC.  Faculty appointment at Boston University School of Medicine will be commensurate with academic and clinical qualifications. 

Reporting directly to the Deputy Chief of Staff, the Service Chief will be expected to expand clinical programs, foster collaborative research efforts between departments and faculty, and explore opportunities within VA and with academic partners in Boston to serve and improve oncology care for the region’s Veterans. 

The department currently has two linear accelerators with full IMRT, IGRT, SBRT, and radiosurgery capability.  A new Varian Truebeam is expected to be installed in early 2019 and will be equipped with volumetric arc therapy, frameless stereotactic radiosurgery with optical surface monitoring systems, integrated imaging capabilities, and Varian Eclipse Treatment Planning. Phillips large bore CT simulator with 4D scan capability is available in the department. Diagnostic radiology services include 128-slice CT scanners, PET/CT, and 3T and 1.5 T MRI. 

VABHS is affiliated with Harvard Medical School and Boston University School of Medicine and is the main tertiary care center for veterans from throughout New England.  VABHS comprises three main campuses in the greater Boston area: Jamaica Plain; West Roxbury; and Brockton. The Jamaica Plain campus offers state-of-the-art ambulatory care and primary care services, including radiation oncology. VABHS is the lead site for the Million Veterans Program, the world’s largest genomic biorepository, and a burgeoning national precision oncology program. 

US citizenship and Board Certification in Radiation Oncology are required. For more information, Email your full CV to Don Rainwater, National Healthcare Recruitment Consultant at don.rainwater@va.gov.  Your inquiry will be handled in confidence. 

Whether you're interested in academics, research, or a better work/life balance, you'll find the VA has a lot to offer, including the unmatched satisfaction you'll get from caring for those who have served our country. In addition to competitive pay and liability protection, the VA also offers a robust benefits plan that includes:

Paid Time Off:

• 26 days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave – you can carry over up to 86 days into a new year and 13 days sick leave per year with unlimited carry over! Unused sick leave can be used to extend creditable service time at retirement! 
• 10 Paid federal holidays with pay
• Possible 5 Days paid Authorized Absence to attend CME

Insurance:

• Health Insurance: VA employees have an outstanding number of health, dental & vision insurance plans from which to choose (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• 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 and; 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-FRAE basic benefits (pension); and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan
• 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 2016, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $18,000, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $24,000. 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