Job Title

This position is a Licensed Independent Practitioner with both clinical and administrative responsibilities. The Chief of Pain Medicine serves as the physician executive responsible for the overall leadership, direction, and operation of the Pain Medicine Service within the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VATVCBHCS). A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment/Relocation 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 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00am - 04:30pm Telework Eligible: Ad-hoc The Chief of Pain Medicine provides comprehensive administrative oversight of the service, including fiscal stewardship, human resources management, employee relations, performance management, strategic planning, and program development. The incumbent ensures integration of clinical and administrative functions to optimize the utilization of personnel, facilities, and resources while maintaining high standards of access, quality, safety, customer service, and regulatory compliance. The Pain Medicine Service is an interdisciplinary program composed of interventional and non-interventional pain specialists, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation providers, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Chiropractic services, and Orthotist/Prosthetist staff, with matrixed support from Pain Psychology and Clinical Pharmacy Specialists. The Chief of Pain Medicine is responsible for coordinating these disciplines into a unified, collaborative service line that functions as an integrated system of care. The incumbent develops, implements, and maintains a comprehensive biopsychosocial model of integrated pain care for Veterans residing within the VATVCBHCS catchment area. Care delivery is accomplished through a hybrid model utilizing both face-to-face and telehealth modalities to ensure access to evidence-based pain management services across a large and geographically dispersed service area. The Chief of Pain Medicine ensures the quality, timeliness, and appropriateness of services provided and maintains accountability for clinical outcomes and service performance. The incumbent also functions as a clinical provider within his/her specialty and maintains responsibility for the overall clinical care delivered within the Pain Medicine Service. The incumbent supports the Department of Veterans Affairs health care mission recognizing that the services provided are subject to oversight and scrutiny by Congressional stakeholders, Veterans Service Organizations, accrediting and regulatory agencies, the public, and the media. The incumbent independently exercises clinical and administrative judgment in managing complex patient care issues and operational challenges within the Pain Medicine Service. The Chief ensures that all service personnel understand and comply with local VATVCBHCS policies and procedures, VHA Directives, Joint Commission standards, State licensure requirements, accreditation standards, and VA Office of Inspector General expectations. The incumbent conducts ongoing reviews, performance monitoring, and quality assessments to ensure achievement of service objectives and adherence to regulatory and professional standards. The Chief of Pain Medicine advises executive leadership regarding clinical policy implications, operational issues, and program development, and recommends appropriate courses of action. The incumbent collaborates with other clinical and administrative services to achieve medical center goals and maintain continuity of patient care across service lines. The Chief coordinates and negotiates resolution of complex interdisciplinary issues and prepares special reports, official correspondence, and responses, including those related to oversight inquiries and Congressional requests. The incumbent coordinates care across disciplines using professional expertise and knowledge of pain management principles and integrated care practices. The Chief ensures effective collaboration among interventional and non-interventional providers and rehabilitation disciplines and facilitates coordination with matrixed pain psychology and clinical pharmacy services to support comprehensive patient care.