Non-Interventional Pain Physician
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.
The Pain Physician is responsible for patient care and performance measures in the Integrative Pain Management Clinic. Most of the work takes place at Fayetteville VA Health Care Center, though some travel may be required. Primary duties are to provide specialty pain care services to a panel of patients through a combination of virtual and in-person visits, as part of an interprofessional specialty care pain team Clinical Functions: The incumbent will work as an integral member of the interdisciplinary pain care team (e.g. medical, behavioral health, physical therapy, pharmacy, etc.) to provide direct patient care services, following the framework provided in the "Biopsychosocial Model of Pain Care" and the "VA Stepped Care Model for Pain Care." Major Duties of this position include, but are not limited to: Provides comprehensive pain care for Veterans via TeleHealth or in-person. Performs initial histories and physical examination on outpatients. Provides ongoing pain care for assigned patients. Utilizes evidence-based approach to medication management for chronic pain. Provides evidence-based approach to medication management for Veterans with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Orders and interprets diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests, x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs). Clinical Responsibilities: Provides electronic consultation services. Performs pain management comprehensive assessments and develops treatment plans for complex chronic pain patients. Manages opioid medications and performs opioid tapers and detoxification when necessary. Complies with current VA/DOD Long-term Opioid Therapy Guidelines and local policies. Treats patients with chronic and acute pain. Develops therapeutic care plans that are intended to achieve defined outcomes that improves the patients' quality of life. Works as part of an interdisciplinary team of pain management providers. Initiates, modifies, or discontinues medication therapies and serves as a consultant for intensive medication therapy management services. Orders, performs, reviews, and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests, other diagnostic studies, and registries necessary to monitor and support medication therapy. The practice emphasizes evidence-based medicine, primary and secondary preventative medicine, the use of computerized medical record system and continuous quality improvement based on individualized provider data. Administrative Functions: The incumbent will participate in non-direct patient care activities as well. Participates in managing facility-wide performance measures such as access and utilization. Participates in accreditation meetings or surveys, as needed. Participates in committees, including the Interdisciplinary Pain Management Committee. Participates in peer reviews. Maintains medical licensing and Board certification requirements. Obtains resident/fellow supervisory privileges through medical school affiliate. Operates computer technology/platforms such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams. Responds to service concerns, completing Patient Advocate Tracking System, White House, or Congressional complaints. Other responsibilities may be assigned by Pain Management Section Chief, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service Chief, Chief of Staff, and the Facility or PMOP Program Office. The incumbent is responsible to the Section Chief of Integrative Pain Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service Chief. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Available to highly qualified candidates Relocation Incentive: Available to eligible candidates. 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: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
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. 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 identification 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). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the Agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the Agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.