Summary

The physiatrist specializes in medical rehabilitation and treatment to promote the health, independence, and quality of life for veterans with disabilities. Physiatrist will assist in diagnosing, treating, and directing an interdisciplinary rehabilitation plan for individuals with acute and chronic pain from musculoskeletal and other conditions, stroke, spasticity, traumatic brain injury, amputation, post-operative rehabilitation, and electromyogram testing.

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 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 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), 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
• 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 or fee-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
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Physiatrists with experience in chronic pain management
• Experience in practice settings using biopsychosocial model of chronic pain care would be ideal
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction
• This position may involve standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning
• The work may involve going up and down flights of stairs.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2025 or until all positions are filled
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 28 February 2025, with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeks
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Major Duties and Responsibilities to include but not be limited to: The physiatrist should have or work towards developing knowledge and skills related to a recovery-oriented practice in chronic pain care based on biopsychosocial whole person approach
• The physiatrist utilizes non-surgical treatment methods such as non-narcotic pain medications, controlled substances, non-pharmacological modalities and utilize whole health services
• Experience with office-based injections such as joint injections, or ultrasound/EMG guided injections are preferred
• The physiatrist will not be expected to perform advanced procedural interventions like epidural spinal injections, facet blocks, and spinal cord stimulator device implantations
• As a staff physiatrist the physiatrist provides support to Section of Pain Medicine and other PM&RS clinics including PMRS physician consults, amputee clinic, brace clinic, Pain and Polytrauma programs
• Responsibilities include providing patient care in the PMRS setting which includes the clinical outpatient area, and subacute, and the inpatient setting as needed
• Responsible for providing the patient with risks, benefits and alternative treatments and securing the informed consent of the patient/family needed before conducting invasive procedures
• Physiatrist evaluates the patient to assess any changes in the physical status and make recommendations for continue care as needed
• Physiatrists are expected to be BLS certified
• Work effectively with patients, families, co-workers, and other health care professionals treating them with respect and dignity
• Complies with information security policy and procedures
• Provide assessment physical and functional status of Veterans in the Physical Medicine and Pain clinics
• Provide recommendations and work with the interdisciplinary team to coordinate care to provide optimal functioning, level of pain, and quality of life for Veterans
• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements
• Assist with the performance of the Pain Management programs in the areas of consultation to the pain providers through regular interdisciplinary team meetings
• Collaborates with the Coordinators of the Polytrauma/TBI, amputee, and SCI programs, providing coverage for these clinics when there is a need
• 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 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 08:00-04:30 P.M