Summary

The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System - Harlingen Texas is seeking a Physician (Chief of Pain Medicine) responsible for the overall operations of the Pain Management Program. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate.

Qualifications

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
• Licensure and Registration: 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: Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) - b) OR Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) -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
• Physical Requirements: See outlined below
• English Language Proficiency: Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Board Certified or eligible in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine or Neurology or Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Completion of three-year residency program 2+ years of experience Pain Medicine Rehabilitation/Pain Management experience Active DEA and State Substance License Reference: VA Regulations - specifically VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard
• This can be found in the local Human Resources Office
• Physical Requirements: The position requires light to moderate lifting (15-44 pounds) - light carrying (under 15 pounds) - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - walking (6 hours) - standing (6 hours) - both legs required - both eyes required - depth perception - ability to distinguish basic colors - ability to distinguish shades of colors - hearing (aid permitted) - mental and emotional stability - and ability to perform privileges.

Duties

• The Chief - Pain Management will oversee the administrative operations of the program to include - but not limited to - budget and fiscal management - human resources management - employee relations - performance management - strategic planning - and program development
• Ensure that clinical and administrative functions are integrated in order to provide optimal utilization of available resources to include responsibility for the quality and timeliness of services provided - customer service - as well as compliance with applicable standards
• You will also function as a provider in your specialty
• You will be responsible for the overall clinical care provided within the Pain Medicine Service
• Accomplish the health care delivery mission of the VA with understanding that services provided are subject to scrutiny by Congressional interests - service organizations - the general public and media
• The Chief will work independently in exercising clinical judgment in dealing with complex clinical decisions and daily problems
• Ensure Pain Medicine Service staff are aware and adhere to all local VATVCBHCS policies and procedures - VHA Directives - Joint Commission standards - State licensure standards - applicable accreditation requirements and VA-OIG expectations
• Conduct on going intensive reviews and appraisals to ensure the accomplishment of objectives and adherence to standards set by the governing and accreditation bodies
• Advise leadership on policy implications - key issues - and relationships to both internal and external interest groups - and recommends courses of action
• Maintain interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals
• Coordinate and negotiate resolutions to complex problems
• prepare special reports and responses - Congressional responses - and other correspondence service related as necessary
• Coordinate with other disciplines concerning total patient care using professional knowledge and skill in applying a wide range of concepts - principles - and methodology
• You may provide orientation/training to medical staff - assist in orientation and training of Pain Medicine staff - training and supervision of students/trainees/fellows - and provide feedback on progress toward established educational goals
• You will keep current with theory and practice through continuing education programs - journals - textbooks - and other literature and in-service programs
• Provide patients and family education including informed consent
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m
• - 4:30 p.m.) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized 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