Physician (Anesthesiology)

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 physician provides comprehensive evaluation and management of acute, chronic, and cancer-related pain using a stepped-care, interdisciplinary model, integrating evidence-based pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies with diagnostic and therapeutic interventional procedures. This role supports VA's National Pain Management Strategy (PMOP) and the Six Essential Elements of Good Pain Care, emphasizing patient-centered, multimodal, opioid-sparing care coordinated across teams and via telehealth when appropriate. Major Duties and Responsibilities Clinical Care: 1. Comprehensive Pain Evaluation & Longitudinal Care Conduct detailed pain assessments (history, focused examination), order and interpret relevant diagnostics, formulate individualized treatment plans, and provide longitudinal follow-up for efficacy, function, and safety. Care plans follow VA/DoD Pain Clinical Practice Guidelines and PMOP principles. Implement multimodal strategies prioritizing non-opioid modalities; when opioids are considered, apply CDC 2022 recommendations (risk-benefit discussion, dosage prudence, follow-up, risk mitigation). Query State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP) per VHA Directive 1306 and document results in CPRS; utilize VA's integrated PDMP workflow where available. Prescribe and manage controlled substances in accordance with VHA Directive 1108.01(2) and DEA regulations; maintain accountability and documentation consistent with facility policy. 2. Interventional Procedures (Privileges-based; fluoroscopic and/or ultrasound-guided) The provider performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within granted privileges and competency. Representative procedures include (ordered broadly from foundational to advanced): Trigger Point and Soft Tissue Injections (e.g., myofascial trigger points, peri-tendinous/enthesial injections). Peripheral Nerve Blocks (e.g., occipital, ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric, intercostal, genicular). Intra-articular & Peri-articular Injections (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee, sacroiliac joint). Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI) caudal, interlaminar, transforaminal (cervical/thoracic/lumbar). Facet-Mediated Pain Procedures intra-articular facet injections; Medial Branch Blocks followed by Radiofrequency Neurotomy/Ablation (RFA) when indicated. Sympathetic Blocks stellate ganglion, lumbar sympathetic, celiac/splanchnic blocks as clinically indicated. Advanced Vertebrogenic/Spine Procedures - Intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation (Intracept) for chronic vertebrogenic low back pain in appropriately selected patients per NASS coverage recommendations and applicable payer/VA guidance. Neuromodulation Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) (including trial and permanent implant) and, where clinically appropriate, dorsal root ganglion stimulation, following 2023 evidence-based consensus guidelines for patient selection, psychosocial screening, trial conduct, and success criteria. Intrathecal Drug Delivery (ITDD) trial, pump implantation, programming, and longitudinal management per Polyanalgesic Consensus Conference (PACC) guidance on therapy selection, dosing, and safety risk mitigation. Other advanced procedures as credentialed (e.g., vertebral augmentation where approved, SI joint RFA, peripheral field stimulation), consistent with national standards and facility privileging. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. 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 Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP), which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements, loan repayments, sign-on bonus contracts, Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years). For additional information and eligibility requirements, contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at vacontractbuyoutprog@va.gov. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am 4:30pm

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 evaluation. 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.