Physician - Anesthesiology (Pain Management)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Temple (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment incentive (sign-on bonus)

Competitive salary

Annual performance bonus

Retirement benefits

CME reimbursement

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Staff Physician – Interventional Pain Specialist at the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System. This role requires a Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree, a current medical license, and at least 3 years of experience in interventional pain management. Responsibilities include conducting evaluations and procedures, managing patient care, and collaborating with other medical professionals. Benefits include competitive salary, recruitment incentives, and substantial paid time off.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree from an approved school.
• Current full and unrestricted medical license in a U.S. state.
• Completed residency in an accredited specialty training program.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in Interventional Pain Management.

Responsibilities

• Write medical orders and prescriptions.
• Perform comprehensive targeted history and physical examination.
• Conduct interventional procedures for pain management.
• Participate in health promotion and disease prevention activities.

Skills

Interventional Pain Management

Fellowship Training in Pain Management

Proficiency in English

Experience in spinal cord stimulators

Experience in intrathecal pain pumps

Education

Doctor of Medicine or equivalent

Tools

Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS)

Job description

Summary

Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS) is recruiting for a Staff Physician – Interventional Pain Specialist.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education: Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree from a school approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year of completion.
• License: Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Residency Training: Completed residency approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification.
  • Approved residencies: 1) ACGME‑accredited; 2) AOA‑accredited; 3) Other non‑U.S. residencies followed by at least five years of verified practice in the U.S., deemed appropriate by the local Medical Staff Executive Committee.
• Physician Resident Providers (PRPs) are eligible if enrolled in ACGME/AOA programs and meet basic requirements; must hold a full license and may be appointed on an intermittent or fee basis.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred Experience: Fellowship Training in Pain Management is required.
• Minimum 3 years experience practicing Interventional Pain Management.
• Experience and competency in performing interventional pain management blocks in the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical regions.
• Experience and competency in placement and management of spinal cord stimulators.
• Experience and competency in placement and management of intrathecal pain pumps.
• Ability to work with mid‑level providers and other providers in accepting patients for indicated interventional procedures.
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15–44 pounds), use of fingers, walking 4–6 hours, standing 4–6 hours, near vision 13″‑16″ to Jaeger 1‑4, far vision 20/20 and 20/40 in the other eye, color discrimination, hearing (aid permitted).
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Benefits

• Open continuous announcement, open until October 30, 2026 or until positions are filled.
• Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus) authorized for highly qualified applicants.
• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• Paid Time Off: 50–55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and 5 days paid absence for CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term‑care; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Licensure: One full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory.
• CME reimbursement: Up to $1,000 per year (must be full‑time with board certification).
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided.
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting activities.

Responsibilities

• Administrative: Write medical orders and prescriptions for non‑controlled and controlled substances as appropriate. Document care in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Provide detailed, targeted history and physical examination required for evaluation. Obtain consent and document performed procedures. Provide patient and family education and counseling on preventive care and medication use. Review and revise policies, scope of practice, and standards of operation to meet national VA and CTVHCS mandates. Guide chronic patient management protocols and coordinate with prosthetics department for patient needs and fiscal responsibility.
• Clinical: Respond to and complete consults for pain evaluation. Perform comprehensive targeted history and physical examination in compliance with national guidelines. Order diagnostic studies (lab tests, X‑ray, MRI, EMG, EKG). Order appropriate pain‑management medications. Provide medication‑management consultation for opioids and non‑opioids. Perform interventional procedures including landmark‑based, ultrasound‑guided or fluoroscopic injections, peripheral joint injections, peripheral nerve blocks, spine epidural injections, radiofrequency ablations, intrathecal/epidural/peripheral neurolysis, sympathetic nerve blocks, therapeutic nerve blocks (celiac plexus), and epidural catheter implantation. Consult other disciplines as needed. Conduct health promotion and disease prevention activities and shared decision‑making. Participate in VISN and national pain‑program efforts.
• Work schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.