Staff Physiatrist (PM&R) - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive/EDRP Authorized

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.

Duties:

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until May 27, 2025 or until positions are filled. Eligible applications received will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur.

The Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) physician, or Physiatrist, is responsible for patient care, patient/family education, and participation in any indicated clinical research in PM&R. The Physiatrist at VCB provides comprehensive care for patients with illnesses within the scope of ambulatory PM&R care. The majority of the Physician's time is devoted to patient care and education, including maintaining proficiency in the broad spectrum of ambulatory PM&R care. Remaining time is set aside for performance improvement activities and potential research to improve patient care. Most of the work takes place at the Health Care Center (HCC) in Harlingen, but travel may be required to other sites within the health care system to meet patient needs.

Certification by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) or board eligibility is highly desirable but not mandatory. Teaching and research experiences are also desirable but not necessary. The Candidate should possess leadership skills in coordination of activities of various ancillary staff, house staff, therapists, other professionals, and students from various disciplines. The Physiatrist should have experience in diagnostically and therapeutically managing patients who present with the broad spectrum of conditions addressed by PM&R in an outpatient setting, including but not limited to care of spinal cord injuries, amputees, musculoskeletal conditions, basic neuromuscular and neurocognitive pathology, performing secondary TBI screens, reviewing for appropriateness of and recommending mobility assistance devices, and home adaptation requests to meet needs of medical conditions. The Physician must be medically licensed in a State, Territory, or the District of Columbia. Some travel to meet the needs of patient care may be required but the provider will be primarily based in Harlingen, Texas.

Administrative Responsibilities: include but are not limited to the following:

Requirements:

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.
• Education: 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.
• License: 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), (2) OR those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), (3) OR 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:

• PM&R Board certified
• Demonstrable clinical and refined interpersonal skills
• Diagnosis and treatment of general outpatient PM&R-related experience including spinal cord injury, limb loss, stroke, and brain injury
• NCS/EMG and botulinum toxin procedure experience
• 2+ years of clinical experience

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit this link.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; moderate carrying 15-44 pounds; straight pulling (2 hours); pushing (2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (2 hours); standing (4 hours); repeated bending (2 hours); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; depth perception; hearing (aid permitted). See VA Handbook and Directive 5019.