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 ineligible to apply.
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: Specialty fellowship or training in pain medicine and/or anesthesia pain management. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Must be able to physically and mentally perform the duties of Physician under normal and emergent conditions. Moderate lifting 15-44 lbs and over with assistive devices, heavy carrying of 15-44 lbs and over with assistive devices; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, both hands required, walking or standing up to 4 hours per day; repeated bending up to 1-2 hours per day; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination; near vision correctable; hearing aid permitted. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
The VA Pittsburgh Health System (VAPHS), Division of Pain Medicine is seeking a board-certified or board-eligible pain management physician to join the interdisciplinary Pain Management Team (PMT) stationed at University Drive VA Medical Center but serving all facilities associated with the parent facility via onsite and virtual care venues. The division is administered through the surgery service line, and serves the western Pennsylvania VISN 4 region, including the Altoona, Butler, and Erie VHA facilities and Community Based Outpatient Clinics. The incumbent will perform comprehensive pain assessments and implement treatment plans in collaboration with multi-disciplinary PMT services. Duties include but are not limited to: Clinical Review and manage requests for face to face, virtual, and electronic pain management consultations. Complete comprehensive chart reviews and physical exams to assess pain condition(s) through a biopsychosocial approach. Attend PMT Multi-Disciplinary team meetings to formulate and implement treatment plans. Implement multimodal care plans to enhance Veterans' functional goals and quality of life. Direct/organize a multidisciplinary transitional/perioperative pain team and coordinate clinical care implementation. Provide individualized medication management with close follow-up for efficacy and risk mitigation, congruent with clinical practice guidelines and VHA/VISN/VAPHS pain management directives. Provide consultation and direct care to include pain neuroscience education to Veterans, caregivers, and other health care providers. Provide interventional pain management, including but not limited to: trigger point injections, peripheral joint injections, caudal, epidural, spinal blocks, diagnostic/therapeutic nerve blocks, neuroablative nerve blocks with cryo, chemical and radiofrequency modalities, percutaneous and subcutaneous implantation of neurostimulator electrodes, peripheral, cranial, costal, plexus, and ganglion nerve blocks. Provide appropriate documentation in electronic health record to include, at a minimum, history, physical exam findings, diagnosis, and comprehensive care plan. Administrative The incumbent promotes coordination and support of the transitional/perioperative pain management services by evaluating current and potential service needs, managing clinical workloads, and staffing resources. Links clinical improvements to operation efficiency for the service. Serves on decision-making committees, including the institutional and VISN pain committees. Initiates actions on a continuing basis for progressive improvement of the service delivery and congruency with clinical practice guidelines and VHA Pain Directive. Skillful in interpersonal relationships, often dealing with support staff, peers, service line and facility leaders using advanced consultation and problem-solving skills. Participates in policy and procedure development, the development of Quality Management (QM) monitors and the development of local standards of care, ensuring compliance with VHA, Joint Commission, and other accrediting agency standards. Education Works closely with affiliated educational partners and residency programs to ensure successful trainee curriculum. Maintains faculty appointment with the program if available. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.