Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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:The Deputy Chief will make contributions in PM&R medical care, education and research to be suitable for an academic appointment at the affiliated medical school and possess leadership skills in coordination of activities of various ancillary staff, house staff, therapists, other rehabilitation professionals, and students.

The Supervisory Podiatrist, PM&R should have experience in managing and rehabilitating patients who have disorders of function across the spectrum of rehabilitation-related illnesses; demonstrate knowledge of preventive medicine and primary care as related to PM&R (e.g. complications of disorders & treatments, side effects of medications used), the role of non-physician health care professionals and health care evaluation. It is expected that he/she be a full-time employee, appointed on a career basis, with the expectation that tenure will span several years.

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties:

Administrative:

1. Leadership of interdisciplinary team activities.
2. Reviews orthopedic surgery and/or PM&R consults for medical appropriateness
3. Participates in peer reviews
4. Maintains medical licensing and Board certification requirements
5. Obtains resident supervisory privileges through medical school affiliate
6. Supervision of (including but not limited to) IPU-assigned Physical and Occupational Therapy staff in collaboration with the Outpatient Therapy Supervisor, PM&RS
7. Customer service: includes responding to service concerns, completing Patient
8. Advocate, White House or Congressional complaints

1. Performs a comprehensive, detailed, targeted, initial history and physical examination in compliance with national guidelines. Utilizes diagnostic point-of-care ultrasound as necessary to refine differential diagnosis and treatment plan.
2. Orders diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests, X-rays, electromyography (EMG), electrocardiograms (EKGs) and other tests as approved by the supervising PM&R Physician.
3. Consults other disciplines, as necessary, to complete the patient examination; e.g. Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, neuropsychological testing, audiology and speech language pathology testing, vision testing, dental evaluation, psychosocial evaluation, etc.
4. Carries out health promotion and disease prevention activities including education and shared decision-making.
5. Writes Medical Orders and prescriptions for non-controlled substances, as necessary, for the care of the patient in accordance with Federal and State law and approval of the supervising PM&R Physician.
6. Evaluation and treatment of clinical conditions associated with the musculoskeletal system, including specialty care.
7. Performs corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, and platelet-rich-plasma injections and other clinic-based procedures as indicated.
8. Call coverage of inpatient rehabilitation unit.
9. Documents care provided in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) in accordance with South Texas Veterans Health Care System requirements.
10. Documents the detailed, targeted, initial history and physical examination required for evaluation in the electronic tool(s) required by VA.
11. Provides education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs.

Conditions of employment

• All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• 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 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).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications

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 podiatric medicine, or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in podiatric medicine and surgery. 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.
• Licensure or Registration. Applicants must possess a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice podiatry medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• Residency Training. Podiatrists must have completed residency training, or its equivalent, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. VA Podiatrists involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.
  • Approved residencies are:(1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education, the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, in the list published for the year the residency was completed, or
  • (2) Other residencies and training experiences, or their equivalents, which the local Professional Standards Board determines to have provided an applicant with appropriate professional training.

• Board Certified in PM&R; Subspecialty certification or fellowship completion in sports or spine medicine.
• 1 years experience in a fast-paced, high-volume musculoskeletal outpatient practice model.
• 1 year prior supervisory experience.
• Prior experience in interdisciplinary clinic or program development and management.
• 1 full year experience performing ultrasound-guided injections and platelet-rich plasma therapy as an attending physician.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.