Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Section Chief for the Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders (SCI/D) Servi

Job Description

This is a full-time, leadership-focused clinical and administrative role supporting one of the nations largest and most respected VA healthcare systems.

Position Number: 91737017
\n Opportunity Type: Full Time
\n Specialty Sought: Hybrid (PM&R or Neurology)
\n FTEs Needed: 1
\n Service: SCI/D Outpatient
\n Reports to: Chief, SCI/D Service

Position Overview

The SCI/D Outpatient Section Chief provides both hands-on clinical care and high-level administrative leadership. The role supports four other physicians and a multidisciplinary clinical team providing care to approximately 600 Veterans living with spinal cord injuries or disorders.

Primary responsibilities include:

Administrative Duties: Lead outpatient SCI/D physicians and assigned staff.
\n Participate in staff meetings, committees, accreditation activities, and peer review.
\n Ensure timely documentation, credentialing maintenance, mandatory training completion.
\n Manage time and leave processes, clinic cancellations, and clinical coverage needs.
\n Oversee productivity, access metrics, open encounters, and consult management.
\n Collaborate with the Assistant Nurse Manager on efficient clinic operations.
\n Support performance improvement and quality initiatives across the service.

Clinical Duties: Maintain active privileges and clinical practice in the physicians specialty.
\n Deliver high-quality patient care including assessment, diagnosis, and management.
\n Demonstrate strong clinical judgment using evidence-based medicine.
\n Communicate effectively with Veterans, families, and interdisciplinary team members.
\n Model professionalism, ethics, and a commitment to continuous growth.
\n Provide off-tour inpatient/consult coverage on a rotational basis (nights, weekends, holidays).

Work Environment

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• Outpatient practice based at Audie Murphy VA Hospital.
  \n Review SCI/D service consults for neuro-rehab appropriateness.
  \n Participate in facility-wide performance measures including access and utilization.
  \n Engage in accreditation, quality management, peer review, and hospital committees.
  \n Maintain licensure, board certification, and academic affiliate requirements.
  \n Work Schedule: MondayFriday, 7:30am4:00pm.
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Team Structure: Four physicians, Assistant Nurse Manager, two RNs, one LVN, one CNA
\n Full interdisciplinary support: physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, pharmacy, social work

Patient Population: Approx. 600 Veterans with spinal cord injuries or neurologic disorders
\n Highly rewarding care environment serving chronic and complex neuro-rehab needs

Professional Development: Strong VA-supported opportunities for training, education, QI projects, research involvement, and academic participation.

Qualifications

Basic/Preferred Qualifications: Board Certified or Board Eligible in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation or Neurology
\n Experience in neurorehabilitation (inpatient or outpatient), specializing in SCI/D preferred
\n Experience or interest in spinal cord medicine, pain, musculoskeletal medicine, or rehab subspecialties
\n Minimum three years of supervisory or leadership experience

VA Employment Requirements: U.S. Citizens strongly encouraged; non-citizens will be considered when qualified candidates are not available
\n Unrestricted medical license from any U.S. state or territory
\n Completion of residency training approved by the VA
\n Successful background check and onboarding requirements

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive VA Total Rewards Package
\n Salary Range (Tier 2): 240,000 to 335,000
\n Recruitment/Relocation Incentive available
\n Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) eligible
\n Federal benefits package including comprehensive insurance options

Federal Retirement Benefits: FERS Federal Employees Retirement System:
\n A secure, government-backed pension paid for life, based on years of service and high-3 salary.

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• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP):
  \n The federal equivalent of a 401(k) with government matching.
  \n The VA contributes up to 5% automatically when you do.
\n

Together, FERS + TSP provide one of the strongest, most stable retirement packages available in the U.S.

Work-Life Balance: 26 days of annual leave
\n 13 days of sick leave
\n 11 paid federal holidays
\n Possible 5 days of paid absence for CME
\n Predictable MondayFriday schedule
\n No RVUs or private-sector style productivity pressure

This is one of the best work-life balance environments in modern medicine.

Why San Antonio?

San Antonio offers an outstanding quality of life with a low cost of living and no state income tax. Highlights include:

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• Beautiful, warm climate with year-round outdoor living
  \n Vibrant culture, food, music, and arts
  \n Excellent schools and family-friendly communities
  \n One of the nations fastest-growing medical ecosystems
  \n Easy travel, major airport, and central location in Texas
  \n Highly affordable housing and a strong local economy
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Living in Texas means keeping more of your incomeyour VA salary stretches even further in a tax?free state.