Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice, Internal Medicine-Rheumatology

Position Overview

UTMB’s Department of Internal Medicine seeks board‑certified rheumatologists (Assistant Professor) to join its expanding division. Faculty roles support clinical care, education, and research, with flexible mission profiles tailored to individual expertise. Faculty will provide subspecialty care for patients with rheumatic diseases, contribute to the education of medical students, residents, and fellows, and have opportunities to develop scholarly activities aligned with their interests and the division's strategic priorities. Roles may focus on clinical service, education, or research based on candidate expertise and divisional needs.

Division Strengths and Resources

• Comprehensive clinical services for systemic rheumatologic conditions.
• Multi‑site clinical operations with rheumatology clinics in Galveston, League City, and expanding to Clear Lake and Angleton‑Danbury campuses.
• Specialized TDCJ Rheumatology Clinic serving the incarcerated population.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration with nephrology, endocrinology, dermatology, neurology, orthopedics, and other specialties.
• ACGME‑accredited two‑year rheumatology fellowship program.
• Access to UTMB’s research infrastructure in immunology, infectious diseases, and translational sciences.

Essential Job Functions

Clinical Responsibilities

• Provide outpatient rheumatology care at one or more clinical sites.
• Deliver inpatient consultative services for hospitalized patients with rheumatic diseases or autoimmune complications.
• Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including musculoskeletal examination, arthrocentesis, joint injections, and point‑of‑care ultrasound where applicable.
• Participate in multidisciplinary clinics and case conferences with nephrology, dermatology, and other subspecialties.
• Collaborate with infusion services, pharmacy, and nursing staff to deliver team‑based care, including biologic therapies and immunosuppressive management.
• Maintain clinical documentation, coding, and billing practices consistent with institutional standards.
• Engage in clinical quality improvement initiatives and utilization review activities.

Educational Responsibilities

• Supervise and educate rheumatology fellows during outpatient clinics, consultative services, and procedural training.
• Teach Internal Medicine residents during subspecialty rotations, including didactic conferences and bedside instruction.
• Provide clinical teaching for medical students during clerkships and elective rotations.
• Participate in divisional, departmental, or institutional educational conferences.
• Mentor trainees in scholarly activities, case reports, quality improvement projects, or research initiatives.
• Contribute to fellowship recruitment, curriculum development, and program evaluation activities.

Scholarly and Research Responsibilities (position‑dependent)

• Clinician educators: Lead curriculum innovation, educational scholarship, or medical education research; participate in teaching academies or faculty development programs.
• Physician‑scientists: Conduct independent or collaborative research, seek extramural funding, and mentor trainees.
• All faculty: Participate in quality improvement, outcomes research, or scholarly dissemination; stay current in rheumatology and engage in professional societies.

Administrative and Service Responsibilities

• Engage in divisional meetings, planning, and quality improvement.
• Serve on departmental, institutional, or professional committees.
• Contribute to peer review, credentialing, and clinical pathway development.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and faculty development.
• Maintain active licensure, board certification, and institutional credentials.

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or DO from an accredited institution.
• Board certified/eligible in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology (ABIM or equivalent).
• Eligible for Texas medical licensure.
• Completed ACGME‑accredited residency and fellowship in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
• Demonstrated commitment to clinical excellence, education, and professional growth.

Valued Experience and Skills

• Expertise in inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue diseases, vasculitis, and crystal arthropathies.
• Skilled in musculoskeletal ultrasound, joint injections, and procedural rheumatology.
• Experience managing complex autoimmune diseases requiring multidisciplinary care.
• Proven educator of medical students, residents, or fellows.
• Active scholarship through publications, presentations, or quality improvement projects.
• For clinician educators: background in educational scholarship, curriculum design, or simulation‑based training.
• For physician‑scientists: record of extramural funding, high‑impact publications, and collaborative research.
• Engagement in professional societies (e.g., ACR, regional organizations).
• Proficiency with EHRs, decision‑support tools, and telemedicine.
• Dedication to health equity and culturally responsive care for underserved populations.

Salary

Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

Location and Quality of Life

Galveston Island, located 30 miles south of Houston, offers Gulf Coast beaches, a mild climate, historic charm, and a lower cost of living. The proximity to Houston provides access to world‑class cultural, recreational, and professional amenities, including major airports (Houston Hobby and George Bush Intercontinental) for national and international travel.