Physician (Physiatrist)

Summary

THIS POSITION IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EDUCATION DEBT REDUCTION PROGRAM (EDRP) - A STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM. YOU MUST MEET SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS PER VHA POLICY AND SUBMIT YOUR EDRP APPLICATION WITHIN FOUR MONTHS OF APPOINTMENT. PROGRAM APPROVAL - AWARD AMOUNT (UP TO $200,000) & ELIGIBILITY PERIOD (ONE TO FIVE YEARS) ARE DETERMINED BY THE VHA EDUCATION LOAN REPAYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM OFFICE AFTER REVIEW OF THE EDRP APPLICATION. FORMER EDRP PARTICIPANTS ARE INELIGIBLE TO APPLY.

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).
• Doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree from a school 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.
• OR 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 in the United States.
• OR non‑US residency training followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (with a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position (United States fellowships would be creditable toward this requirement).
• 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 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.
• In rare and unusual circumstances, the Facility Director may 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.
• Physical requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
• VHA Physician Total Rewards.
• Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus): Approved for this position EDRP authorized. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
• Pay: Competitive salary – annual performance bonus – regular salary increases.
• Paid time off: 50‑55 days 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 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
• Licensure: One 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: The candidate will be a Staff Physiatrist reporting to the Chief of PM&R and will practice in accordance with professional standards, core values, and a commitment to service excellence.
• Carry an appropriate clinical workload, participate in continuing medical education, and engage in quality assurance and performance improvement activities.
• Provide clinical coverage in clinics such as general rehab outpatient rehab, electromyography (EMG) lab, spinal cord injury, polytrauma, rehab amputee clinic, and other delegated clinics.
• Routinely perform outpatient musculoskeletal and neuromuscular exams to diagnose and treat, emphasizing function, rehabilitation, pain management, injury prevention, and patient wellness.
• Prescribe therapeutic interventions, work with rehab therapists and other health care providers to establish a comprehensive integrated rehabilitation program for the veteran.
• Safely perform and design electrodiagnostic studies including EMG and nerve conduction studies with accurate interpretation, diagnosis, and documentation.
• Competent in performing routine joint and trigger point injections.
• Collaborate with and oversee a multidisciplinary team and mid‑level providers in the management of patients in spinal cord injury/disease clinic.
• Complete consultations, notes, and reports in a timely manner and ensure results are made readily available to referring practitioners.
• May be required to provide coverage at prosthetic clinic with prosthetic and orthotic evaluation and treatment.
• Promote and assist with telehealth practice and activities.
• Other duties assigned as necessary.
• Work schedule: Monday‑Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM; compressed schedules available.
• Relocation/Recruitment incentive approved for this position.