Lead with Impact: Deputy Chief, PM&R at South Texas VA – Exceptional Career & Unmatched Quality of Life in San Antonio!

The South Texas VA is excited to announce the opening for a Deputy Service Chief Physician in the department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the Audie L. Murphy VA in beautiful San Antonio, Texas. Join us in providing high-quality, compassionate care to our nation's heroes while enjoying a fulfilling career with ample opportunities for personal and professional growth!

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Leadership Role: Supervise three high-functioning section chiefs and provide cooperative and consultative guidance within the sections of Outpatient Rehabilitation, Whole Health, and Comprehensive Pain.
• Collaboration and Innovation: You will report directly to the Service Chief and have the chance to collaborate on strategic planning in the fastest-growing healthcare system in the VA.
• Academic Environment: Engage in supervising and teaching residents and medical students, with opportunities to participate in educational programs at our academic affiliate, the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio.
• Supportive Team: Our PM&R leadership team prioritizes effective communication, a collaborative approach, and a commitment to patient safety, with a strong focus on creating an enjoyable working environment.
• Research Opportunities: Explore dedicated research interests with support from the department.

Location Perks: San Antonio & South Texas

San Antonio, also known as Alamo City, is rich in history and vibrant culture, offering an exceptional quality of life. It boasts a strong economy, affordable living, and is one of the best large cities to raise a family. Texas residents benefit from:

• No State Income Tax: Keep more of your hard-earned money.
• Affordable Cost of Living: Enjoy a high standard of living with an affordable housing market.
• Strong Job Market: San Antonio is known for its robust job market and stable economy.
• Diverse Culture & Entertainment: From the historic Alamo and River Walk to diverse dining and outdoor activities, there's something for everyone.
• Family-Friendly Environment: Excellent schools and numerous family activities make it a great place for raising children.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: $285,000 - $320,000 + Performance Pay up to $15,000
• Incentives Offered: Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), Relocation Assistance, Sign-On Incentive
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a regular workweek (Monday to Friday) with minimal on-call duties.

Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 or 8:30 start – 4:30 or 5pm

Call Coverage:

Faculty take home call 4-5 times per year for one week at a time. When on-call, you will cover a 12-bed inpatient rehab unit. First call is handled by the on-call resident with chief resident backup through our academic affiliate. Attendings are contacted as third call and come into round without trainees on weekends and federal holidays when on-call.

Academic Affiliation:

Faculty appointment available with the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio.

Practice Environment:

South Texas PM&R comprises around 180 dedicated staff members, including additional support from nursing, social work, mental health, and administrative personnel. Our department includes six distinct sections:

1. Inpatient Rehabilitation: Features a 12-bed acute rehab unit on the main campus and additional units for specialized care.
2. Outpatient Rehabilitation: Home to the nation’s 2nd largest VA TBI clinic and various specialized services.
3. Therapy Section: Provides PT, OT, KT services across multiple settings.
4. Whole Health Section: Offers a proactive, patient-centered care model focusing on overall wellness.
5. Rehabilitation Technology: Supports the PM&R department with advanced rehabilitation technology.
6. Comprehensive Pain Clinic: Implements a biopsychosocial model of pain management with an emphasis on sustainable care.

Teaching and Research:

Our faculty are actively engaged in teaching and hold adjunct appointments in the PM&R department at the Long School of Medicine, part of one of the largest PM&R residency programs in the country. Multiple faculty members are involved in funded research, notably in the VA Traumatic Brain Injury model system.

Candidate Requirements:

• Board Certification: PM&R Board Certification through the ABPMR or AOBPMR; subspecialty certification preferred.
• Experience: Previous VA supervisory experience and clinic/service-line healthcare management are highly valued.
• Other Preferred Qualifications: Prior Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) medical directorship.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their CV and cover letter detailing their qualifications and experience to our recruitment team.

Equal Opportunity Employment: The South Texas VA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Make a difference in the lives of veterans while enjoying a rewarding career in South Texas. Apply today to become part of our dedicated team at the South Texas VA!

Paid Time Off:

• 26 Days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave
• 13 Days paid sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation
• 11 Federal holidays with pay annually
• 5 Days paid absence to attend approved CME courses

Insurance:

• Health Insurance: VA employees have an outstanding number of health insurance plans from which to choose (premiums are partially paid by VA) Lifetime Healthcare Insurance options available
• Dental & Vision: Our insurance options also include exceptional vision and dental plans (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• VA employees have the option to use Flexible Spending Accounts, which allow you to use tax-free dollars to pay for medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance plan
• Term life insurance, family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government
• Long-term care insurance is available as an option

Federal Retirement Plan:

• VA employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits, 2) FERS-RAE basic benefits (pension), and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan
• How is the pension funded? VA employees automatically contribute 4.4% of their salary each pay period and the VA contributes 12.2% of the employee’s salary each pay period for a total annual contribution percentage equal to 16.6% of the employee’s salary
• Similar to the 401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector, the TSP allows employees to tax defer a portion of their income each year, subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. For calendar year 2025, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $23,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $31,000.
• The Federal Government also provides an automatic basic contribution (1% of salary) and up to 4% of salary in matching contributions, depending on the amount of the employee contribution
• For retired military personnel, these benefits are in addition to full monthly retirement pay or pension
• In addition to FERS, VA provides health care insurance coverage for retired personnel
• Disability Retirement
• Employees are vested in a federal pension after only 5 years service

South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) is comprised of two inpatient campuses: the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio and the Kerrville VA Hospital in Kerrville, Texas. STVHCS serves one of the largest primary service areas in the nation and is part of the VA Heart of Texas Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 17), with offices located in Arlington, Texas. South Texas provides health care services for 80,000 unique Veterans. The Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital (ALMMVH), named after the nation’s most decorated World War II hero, is a quaternary care facility, which is affiliated with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). Comprehensive health care is provided through acute medical, surgical, mental health, physical medicine and rehabilitation, geriatric, and primary care services. Comprised of a Spinal Cord Injury Center, a Community Living Center, a Domiciliary, and a Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP). ALMMVH provides quaternary services including bone marrow transplantation, open-heart surgery, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography. As a Level II Research facility ALMMVH has projects that include aging, cardiac surgery, cancer, diabetes and HIV. The facility has one of three National Institutes of Health sponsored clinical research centers in the VA. In addition, the Geriatric Research, Education & Clinical Center (GRECC) is a “Center of Excellence.” The Kerrville VA Hospital (KVAH), located 65 miles northwest of San Antonio, provides primary care, some specialty care, geriatric evaluation and management, palliative care, and long-term care services with a Community Living Center. Outpatient clinics offer primary care and some specialty care while sharing resources with each other and their respective communities. When required, Veterans are referred to ALMMVH or KVAH for specialty care including medicine, surgery, neuropsychiatry, rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, and long-term care services.