Location & Practice Overview

Facility San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC)
Department Anesthesiology Service
Practice Type Hospital-based perioperative care
Care Setting Inpatient operating rooms and procedural areas
Academic Affiliation Long-standing partnership with University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine

Responsibilities

  • Conduct preoperative assessments, consultations, and history and physical examinations to prepare patients for anesthesia
  • Deliver medical management throughout the perioperative period, including general, regional, and monitored anesthesia care
  • Place and manage invasive monitors and lines such as arterial lines, central venous catheters, pulmonary artery catheters, epidurals, and spinals
  • Provide anesthesia for complex cases including cardiothoracic procedures, pacemaker implantation, cardioversion, and neurostimulator management
  • Supervise and train medical students, student nurse anesthetists, and residents while offering consultation in critical care and pain management

Qualifications & Requirements

Candidates must meet core credentialing standards for independent practice as an anesthesiologist within the Veterans Health Administration. Fellowship training strengthens applications for higher-acuity case involvement but is not mandatory for consideration.

Education
MD or DO degree from an accredited medical school
Board Status
Board Certified or Board Eligible in Anesthesiology
Licensure
Full and unrestricted medical license from any U.S. state or territory
Training
Completion of anesthesiology residency; fellowship preferred for critical care or cardiothoracic focus
Certifications
Current ACLS certification and DEA registration required

Compensation & Benefits

Annual salary is established through a formal pay-setting process that considers education, experience, and market factors. Total rewards include federal employment protections and education debt relief options.

  • Base salary range of $350,000–$400,000 per year, negotiable according to qualifications and experience
  • Recruitment incentive (sign-on bonus) authorized
  • Education Debt Reduction Program (student loan repayment) authorized
  • 50–55 days of paid time off annually (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays, plus CME time)
  • Federal pension with 5-year vesting, 401(k) with up to 5% employer contribution, comprehensive health/vision/dental/life/long-term care insurance, and free malpractice coverage with tail

Schedule & Work Environment

Employment Status Full-time
Daily Structure Supervisor-determined weekday operating room coverage
Call Shared rotation covering evenings, weekends, and holidays
Work Model Fully onsite; no remote clinical option

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

Clinical work centers on adult Veterans who frequently present with multiple co-existing medical conditions requiring careful perioperative planning and management.

Primary Population Adult Veterans
Acuity Profile Moderate to high acuity perioperative cases
Case Complexity Includes cardiothoracic, invasive monitoring, and device-related procedures
Documentation System VA Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS)

About Department of Veterans Affairs

The San Francisco VA Health Care System operates the San Francisco VA Medical Center, a 1a complexity tertiary care facility with 111 operating beds. It maintains a longstanding academic affiliation with the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine for physician recruitment and training, and supports one of the largest competitively funded research programs in the VA system.

Organization Type Federal agency (Veterans Health Administration)
Main Campus Address 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121
Service Reach Medical center plus multiple outpatient clinics serving Northern California
Academic Partnership Joint recruitment and training with UCSF for over 60 years

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a California medical license required to start?
A full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory is accepted. California licensure is facilitated after hire if needed.
How long does the hiring and credentialing process usually take?
The process typically spans 4–12 weeks depending on credential verification, background checks, and board confirmation.
Are there restrictions on moonlighting or outside employment?
VA physician positions generally carry no employment contract restrictions and no significant limits on moonlighting, subject to agency policy and conflict-of-interest rules.
Does the role include teaching or research components?
Yes. The position involves supervising and training medical students, student nurse anesthetists, and residents. The service also maintains active clinical research and quality-improvement programs through its UCSF affiliation.

Physician - Anesthesiologist in San Francisco, CA

This full-time anesthesiologist role at the San Francisco VA Medical Center centers on perioperative management of adult Veterans who often carry multiple comorbidities. Work occurs in a tertiary hospital environment with cardiothoracic cases, invasive monitoring, and shared call. The position sits within an academic-affiliated service that trains residents and students through its UCSF partnership. Compensation falls in the $350,000–$400,000 range with authorized recruitment incentives and Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility. Federal benefits include substantial paid leave, a pension, and malpractice coverage with tail. Candidates who are board-certified or board-eligible in anesthesiology and hold any U.S. medical license will find a structured pathway to credentialing at this 1a complexity facility serving Northern California Veterans.

Apply for This Position

Submit your application for Physician - Anesthesiologist at Department of Veterans Affairs.

Continue to Official Application Direct submission to Department of Veterans Affairs