The Central Texas VA Health Care System, Temple, Texas is currently recruiting for a Physician (Chief, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service) to provide clinical services and support of all sections of PMRS and affiliated Community Based Out-Patient Clinics. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate. This vacancy will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a regular basis or at the request of management. 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: Residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 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. Board Certification: Physicians are generally not required to be board certified for employment in VA; however, three circumstances in VA require physician board certification: If the position being filled is required to be a supervisor for medical students or physician residents (including fellows), the LCME, ACGME or AOA standards requiring a particular board certification credential will apply. If the position being filled will have faculty status with an affiliated medical school (for example, in joint recruitments with affiliated medical schools), then a medical school requirement for board certification will apply to the jointly recruited position. If the position being filled is required to be board certified by virtue of specific VHA policy (for example, as director of a cardiac catheterization laboratory or Director of Clinical Laboratory Medicine), then VHA policy requiring board certification will apply.] 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: Current board certification in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 3-5 years of Leadership and/or Supervisory experience, preferably VA Knowledge of regulations and preparation for accreditation surveys, i.e. Joint Commission, OIG, etc. 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: Moderate lifting, over 25 pounds; moderate carrying, over 25 pounds; Pushing 1hr; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (4hrs); Standing (4hrs); Both legs required; Repeated bending 1-2hrs; Climbing, legs only 1-2hrs; Both eyes required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental/ Emotional Stability; No skin allergies ["The Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service serves as supervisor for clinical services and staff within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Duties include the following: Responsible for strategic planning, supervision of staff, effectively coordinating activities and policies related to physical rehabilitation and treatment of patients. Additional duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Serves as advisor to the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff on matters relating to pain management, cognitive rehabilitation, and overall functional improvement of patients. Performs a wide range of medical duties covering rehabilitation medicine; examines and assesses patients, develops and manages a comprehensive and rehabilitation program. Serves as a subject matter expert for consultation on medical management of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other associated types of care. Assists in determining the need for improvements and new initiatives in clinical care and research. Reviews and analyzes rehabilitation work methods and operational procedures and recommend changes based on findings. Will be expected to provide subject matter expertise and advice to facility leadership. Effectively communicates with service employees, patients and their families, employees from other services, stake holders, the triad, and VISN and VACO staff when required. Be involved in various committees and workgroups. Ensures the services ability to meet standard issued by various accrediting and regulatory groups and VACO. Supervisory oversight. Evaluates performance, provides advice, counsel, or instruction to individual employees concerning work and administrative matters Other duties assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment 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"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
