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Summary The Central Texas VA Health Care System is seeking a Physician (Pain Specialist) . A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate. 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. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Responsibilities The Pain specialist provides comprehensive care for patients who have illnesses within the scope of acute and chronic pain. The scope of these activities covers all phases of ambulatory care. Other responsibilities may include education of medical students and residents and/or supervision of other providers.The majority of the Pain specialist's time is devoted to patient care and education, with the remaining time set aside for performance improvement activities, creative research to improve patient care, activities sufficient to maintain proficiency in state-of-the-art pain care. Most of the work will take place at one campus of Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS), but some travel may be required to meet the needs at various sites of CTVHCS. Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: In addition to observance of Federal, national, and local regulations, policy, and accreditation requirements governing this Health Care System, this position encompasses the following examples of responsibilities overseen by a Pain Specialist. The Pain Specialist requires appropriate time mapping and resources to ensure they are empowered to meet expected proficiencies in administration, clinical practice, education, and research. Adminstrative: Writes Medical Orders and prescriptions for non-controlled and controlled substances, as necessary, for the care of the patient in accordance with Federal and State law. Documents care provided in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) in accordance with CTVHCS requirements. Documents the detailed, targeted, initial history and physical examination required for evaluation in the electronic tool(s) required by VA. Obtains consent and documents procedures performed for which the Pain specialist is responsible. Provides education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs. Review and revise policies and scope of practice/standards of operation to meet the needs of the National VA and CTVHCS mandates. Review and guide protocols in chronic patient managements including coordinating efforts with prosthetics department to meet patients' needs and maintain fiscal responsibility. Clinical: Responds to and completes consults received for the evaluation of Pain, including: Performs a comprehensive, detailed, targeted, initial history and physical examination in compliance with national guidelines. Orders diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests, X-rays, MRIs, electromyography (EMG), electrocardiograms (EKGs) and other tests. Orders appropriate medications related to managing subacute or chronic pain. Will provide assistance, through consultation, for medication management, including opiate and non-opiate medicines, to all services as requested. Performs interventional procedures that are landmark based, ultrasound guided or fluoroscopic guided injections, including but not limited to peripheral joint injections, peripheral nerve blocks, spine epidural injections and radiofrequency ablations. Intrathecal/epidural/peripheral neurolysis. Sympathetic nerve blocks. Therapeutic nerve blocks including celiac plexus blocks. Epidural catheter implantation. Consults other disciplines, as necessary, to complete the patient evaluation. Carries out health promotion and disease prevention activities including education and shared decision-making. Participate in all VISN and national level efforts in Pain programs. 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 Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR (3) 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: Fellowship Training in Pain Management is required. 3 years experience practicing Interventional Pain Management. Experience and competency in performing all interventional pain management blocks in the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical region. Experience and competency in performing placement and manage of spinal cord stimulators. Experience and competency in performing placement and management of intrathecal pain pumps. Experience and ability to work with mid-level providers and other providers in accepting patients for indicated interventional procedures. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/, 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, 15-44 pounds; Use of fingers; Walking (4-6hours); Standing (4-6hours); 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; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted). Education Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are: Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted, or Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association for the year in which the degree was granted. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, facility officials must verify with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) that the applicant has met requirements for certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. [If the applicant does not claim an ECFMG certificate, facility officials must still confirm that the medical school meets (or met) ECFMG eligibility requirements for the year the candidate graduated.] NOTE: The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.