Physician - Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Primary Care - EDRP Authorized

About the role

The VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Center has well‑established programs dedicated to providing acute rehabilitation and chronic lifelong comprehensive care to Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D). An internal medicine physician will provide consultative and primary care services to the SCI Service on an inpatient and outpatient basis.

Responsibilities

• Provides consultative and direct patient care (inpatient and outpatient).
• Provides outpatient primary care services to the SCI/D population.
• Completes initial internal medicine consults on new admissions.
• Provides internal medicine consultation to the SCI Interdisciplinary Team.
• Supports the SCI team with managing complex medical issues.
• Provides medical clearance for surgery.
• Admits, evaluates, diagnoses, and treats Veterans.
• Completes documentation and clinical reminders per policy.
• Provides education to patients, families, and caregivers.
• Seeks to develop and implement best practices within the SCI Service.
• Advocates for Veterans with SCI/D.
• Attends and participates in administrative and Veteran/family meetings as indicated.
• Contributes to the academic mission of VANTHCS by participating in educational lectures or research.
• Complies with national and local performance measures and policies.

Requirements

• United States citizenship (non‑citizens may be appointed only when recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible).
• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from a VA‑approved school.
• Full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program leading to eligibility for board certification (ACGME or AOA accredited).
• Alternatively, one year of post‑medical‑school training (internship or transitional year) plus two years of independent practice, or non‑U.S. residency with at least three years of verified independent practice in the United States.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Board certified in Internal Medicine or Family Medicine.
• Experience in Women’s Health.
• Experience in Chronic Pain and Pharmacologic Management.
• Experience with chronic disease, aging, and polypharmacy.
• Experience in Preventative Medicine.
• Experience in Disability Advocacy.

Physical Requirements

• Light lifting – under 15 pounds.
• Light carrying – under 15 pounds.
• Reaching above shoulder.
• Use of fingers; both hands required.
• Walking – 4 hours.
• Standing – 4 hours.
• Near vision correctable to 13‑16 inches (Jaeger 1‑4).
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and in the other to 20/40.
• Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors.

Schedule

Monday – Friday (full‑time) 08:00‑16:30, with on‑call duties rotated among SCI physicians (evenings, weekends, holidays).

Pay

Competitive salary with an annual performance bonus and regular salary increases.

Benefits

• 50‑55 days of paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 Federal holidays, plus a possible 5‑day paid CME absence).
• Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care insurance (many programs can be carried into retirement).
• CME reimbursement up to $1,000 per year (full‑time with board certification).
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Education Debt Reduction Program

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student‑loan repayment program. Eligible applicants may receive up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years, subject to VHA policy and application within four months of appointment. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.