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 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
• 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 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: Board certified or board eligible in Physical - Medicine & Rehabilitation & Pain Medicine Completion of an accredited residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Preferred Experience: Completion of an accredited Pain Medicine fellowship Demonstrate expertise in high-complexity pain management - advanced interventional procedures - and VHA-compliant opioid stewardship practices within a multidisciplinary system 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
• TB/Immunization 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
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Work Schedule: Full-Time: Monday to Friday
• 7:30am to 4:00pm Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact V21CCOEEDRP@VA.GOV - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 The incumbent reports to the Chief - Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service The Pain Medicine Physician provides comprehensive - high-complexity pain management services to Veterans within a Level 1A VHA facility
• The incumbent evaluates - diagnoses - and manages acute - subacute - and chronic pain conditions in medically and psychiatrically complex patients using evidence-based - interdisciplinary approaches
• The physician practices independently within granted clinical privileges and collaborates across specialty services to ensure compliance with national VHA directives - PMOP standards - Joint Commission requirements - and High Reliability Organization (HRO) principles
• This position is non-supervisory
• Provides comprehensive pain evaluations including functional - psychosocial - and risk stratification assessments
• Manages complex pain conditions including spine disorders - neuropathic pain - postsurgical pain - cancer-related pain (in coordination) - CRPS - and multifactorial chronic pain syndromes
• Performs advanced interventional procedures within approved privileges - including epidural injections - facet procedures - radiofrequency ablation - peripheral joint injections - ultrasound-guided procedures - and neuromodulation management (if credentialed)
• Conducts medication management including opioids in strict compliance with PMOP - OSI - CARA - and VHA opioid safety policies
• Implements multimodal and non-pharmacologic strategies including coordination with Whole Health - Behavioral Health - Physical Therapy - Occupational Therapy - Chiropractic - and complementary modalities
• Participates in interdisciplinary Pain Management Team meetings and SCM-PM implementation
• Provides specialty pain consultations for Primary Care - Surgical Services - Oncology - Neurology - and other high-complexity services
• Ensures adherence to risk mitigation protocols including PDMP review - opioid agreements - urine drug screening - naloxone prescribing - and documentation of functional outcomes
• Participates in telehealth delivery of pain services
• Completes documentation in CPRS/EHR in accordance with VHA workload capture and compliance requirements
• Participates in performance improvement initiatives - peer review - and PMOP reporting metrics relevant to Level 1A facility standards.