Physician (Deputy Chief-PM&R Orthopedic Integrated Practice Unit)

The South Texas VA Health Care System - San Antonio, Texas is currently seeking a full‑time Physician (Deputy Chief of the Orthopedic Practice Unit/Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation). The Deputy Chief is responsible for patient care – patient/family education and supervision of the PM&RS staff and patient care.

Qualifications

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

Physicians appointed to direct patient‑care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d)

Preferred Experience: Board Certified in PM&R

Subspecialty certification or fellowship completion in sports or spine medicine

1 year experience in a fast‑paced – high‑volume musculoskeletal outpatient practice model

1 year prior supervisory experience

Prior experience in interdisciplinary clinic or program development and management

1 full year experience performing ultrasound‑guided injections and platelet‑rich plasma therapy as an attending physician

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting – 15‑44 pounds

Moderate carrying – 15‑44 pounds

Straight Pulling (2hrs)

Pushing (4hrs)

Reaching above shoulder

Use of fingers

Both hands required

Walking (2hrs)

Standing (2hrs)

Kneeling (2hrs)

Repeated bending (2hrs)

Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously

Both eyes required

Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other

Depth perception

Hearing (aid permitted)

Mental/emotional stability

Duties

The Deputy Chief will make contributions in PM&R medical care – education and research to be suitable for an academic appointment at the affiliated medical school and possess leadership skills in coordination of activities of various ancillary staff – house staff – therapists – other rehabilitation professionals – and students

The Supervisory Physician – PM&R should have experience in managing and rehabilitating patients who have disorders of function across the spectrum of rehabilitation‑related illnesses

Demonstrate knowledge of preventive medicine and primary care as related to PM&R (e…)

Complications of disorders & treatments – side effects of medications used – the role of non‑physician health care professionals and health care evaluation

It is expected that he/she be a full‑time employee – appointed on a career basis – with the expectation that tenure will span several years

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: Administrative: Leadership of interdisciplinary team activities

Reviews orthopedic surgery and/or PM&R consults for medical appropriateness

Participates in peer reviews

Maintains medical licensing and Board certification requirements

Obtains resident supervisory privileges through medical school affiliate

Supervision of (including but not limited to) IPU‑assigned Physical and Occupational Therapy staff in collaboration with the Outpatient Therapy Supervisor – PM&R

Customer service: includes responding to service concerns – completing Patient Advocate – White House or Congressional complaints

Clinical: Performs a comprehensive – detailed – targeted – initial history and physical examination in compliance with national guidelines

Utilizes diagnostic point‑of‑care ultrasound as necessary to refine differential diagnosis and treatment plan

Orders diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests – X‑rays – electromyography (EMG) – electrocardiograms (EKGs) and other tests as approved by the supervising PM&R Physician

Consults other disciplines – as necessary – to complete the patient examination

e.g. Occupational Therapy – Physical Therapy – neuropsychological testing – audiology and speech language pathology testing – vision testing – dental evaluation – psychosocial evaluation – etc.

Carries out health promotion and disease prevention activities including education and shared decision‑making

Writes Medical Orders and prescriptions for non‑controlled substances – as necessary – for the care of the patient in accordance with Federal and State law and approval of the supervising PM&R Physician

Evaluation and treatment of clinical conditions associated with the musculoskeletal system – including specialty care

Performs corticosteroid – hyaluronic acid – and platelet‑rich‑plasma injections and other clinic‑based procedures as indicated

Call coverage of inpatient rehabilitation unit

Documents care provided in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) in accordance with South Texas Veterans Health Care System requirements

Documents the detailed – targeted – initial history and physical examination required for evaluation in the electronic tool(s) required by VA

Provides education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care – medical conditions – and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday (7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package

VHA Physician Total Rewards

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 401(k) 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

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