Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice, Internal Medicine-Rheumatology

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.

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.
• TDCJ Rheumatology Clinic providing specialized care to 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.

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

• 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 activities.
• 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.

Desired Experience and Skills

• Expertise in inflammatory arthritis, connective‑tissue diseases, vasculitis, and crystal arthropathies.
• Skill 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

Commensurate with experience.

Location and Quality of Life

Galveston Island, about 30 miles south of Houston, offers Gulf Coast beaches, a mild climate, historic charm, and a lower cost of living. Houston’s cultural and recreational amenities—including professional sports, performing arts, museums, diverse dining, and shopping—are within easy reach, as are outdoor activities such as fishing and sailing. The area features excellent schools and proximity to the Texas Medical Center, supporting academic collaboration and networking. Major airports (Houston Hobby and George Bush Intercontinental) provide convenient national and international travel.