Summary

The Supervisory Physician provides expert - non-surgical evaluation and management of conditions within the PM&R Section at VA PIHCS. The physician leads clinical activities - supports interdisciplinary rehabilitation and pain management services - and ensures high-quality - patient-centered care for Veterans across VAPIHCS facilities.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine
• The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Current - full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth of the United States - or in the District of Columbia
• Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training - approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification
• (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education - the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - in the list published for the year the residency - or fellowship if applicable - was completed
• OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship - first year of residency - or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States
• OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the Physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences
• Exceptions: Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs)
• PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e. - not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis
• PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged
• rather - they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision
• Additionally - surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs
• In rare and unusual circumstances - the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer - who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience - accomplishments - performance - and qualifications warrant such action
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Additional Requirement: Fellowship training in Pain - Sports Medicine or Interventional Spine/Musculoskeletal Medicine
• Preferred Experience: Experience in Musculoskeletal/Pain
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Applicants must meet physical standards for the position
• A physical examination prior to placement is required
• This is a designated drug testing position
• After appointment - you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use
• Requires lifting 15-44 pounds
• pushing (approx
• 2 hours)
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers and both hands
• walking and standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Hearing aid is permitted.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday
• 7:30am - 4:00pm 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 MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Clinical Duties Perform comprehensive PM&R evaluations encompassing the full scope of physiatry practice - including functional assessments and rehabilitation planning
• Diagnose and manage acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions through non-surgical - evidence-based methods Provide chronic pain assessment and management with emphasis on multimodal - non-opioid-focused approaches and appropriate tapering or cross-titration to partial agonist opioid therapy when indicated Order and interpret diagnostic studies relevant to PM&R and musculoskeletal medicine (e.g. - X-ray - MRI - EMG/NCS - ultrasound as privileged)
• Perform musculoskeletal procedures within approved privileges (e.g. - joint injections - soft-tissue injections - trigger point injections
• ultrasound-guided procedures if privileged)
• Perform interventional pain procedures within approved privileges (e.g. - epidural steroid injections - medial branch blocks - radiofrequency ablations - nerve blocks - intraarticular joint injections - spinal cord stimulator trials) Coordinate and collaborate with PT - OT - behavioral health - social work - nurse educator - pharmacy - primary care - and other specialties
• Attend and lead multidisciplinary team meetings to formulate and implement treatment plans Provide consultation and/or in service training to other clinical staff in facility which will enable them to improve their ability to manage basic musculoskeletal - chronic pain - and conditions within the physiatry scope Provide care via in-person and telehealth modalities as appropriate
• Maintain timely - accurate clinical documentation in accordance with VA standards
• Complete other clinical duties as assigned by the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS)/Service Chief PM&R or their designee
• Supervisory and Administrative Duties Provide supervision of staff - guidance - and clinical oversight to staff within the PM&R organizational chart Assist with management of clinic operations - scheduling practices - and access to care across all VAPIHCS sites
• Participate in monthly PM&R and/or pain committee meetings and assist with performance and process improvement - quality assurance - and compliance activities
• Contribute to development or revision of local policies - procedures - and clinical pathways related to rehabilitation and chronic pain care
• Participate in team efforts to expand services and meet the requirements set forth by the VHA Directives
• Complete other non-clinical duties as assigned by the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS)/Service Chief PM&R or their designee
• SUPERVISORY CONTROLS The physician works under the chain of command of the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) PM&R or their designee - with clinical oversight by the Chief of Staff
• The physician exercises supervisory responsibility over assigned PM&R providers or staff
• Work is evaluated for clinical effectiveness - compliance with policy - quality of care - and contribution to service-level goals
• SCOPE OF PRACTICE / PRIVILEGES Clinical practice is limited to privileges approved through the PIHCS credentialing and privileging process
• The scope includes: Comprehensive PM&R and musculoskeletal evaluations
• Non-surgical management of musculoskeletal and chronic pain conditions
• Musculoskeletal and soft-tissue injection procedures as privileged Electrodiagnostic testing or ultrasound-guided procedures if specifically privileged
• Fluoroscopic guided interventional pain procedures if specifically privileged Medication management for musculoskeletal and chronic pain conditions consistent with VA standards of practice
• Use of telehealth platforms for evaluation and follow-up.