Physician (Chief - Pain Medicine) - Recruitment/Relocation Incentives Approved

Summary

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This position is a Licensed Independent Practitioner with both clinical and administrative responsibilities. The Chief of Pain Medicine serves as the physician executive responsible for the overall leadership, direction, and operation of the Pain Medicine Service within the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VATVCBHCS).

A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual.

Learn more about this agency

This job is open to

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### The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

### Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

### Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non\-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. NOTE: The 2\-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Duties

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VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign\-on Bonus): Authorized

Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases

Paid Time Off: 50\-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME)

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long\-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full\-time with board certification)

Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided

Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting

Work Schedule: Monday \- Friday, 08:00am \- 04:30pm

Telework Eligible: Ad\-hoc

The Chief of Pain Medicine provides comprehensive administrative oversight of the service, including fiscal stewardship, human resources management, employee relations, performance management, strategic planning, and program development. The incumbent ensures integration of clinical and administrative functions to optimize the utilization of personnel, facilities, and resources while maintaining high standards of access, quality, safety, customer service, and regulatory compliance.

The Pain Medicine Service is an interdisciplinary program composed of interventional and non\-interventional pain specialists, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation providers, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Chiropractic services, and Orthotist/Prosthetist staff, with matrixed support from Pain Psychology and Clinical Pharmacy Specialists. The Chief of Pain Medicine is responsible for coordinating these disciplines into a unified, collaborative service line that functions as an integrated system of care.

The incumbent develops, implements, and maintains a comprehensive biopsychosocial model of integrated pain care for Veterans residing within the VATVCBHCS catchment area. Care delivery is accomplished through a hybrid model utilizing both face\-to\-face and telehealth modalities to ensure access to evidence\-based pain management services across a large and geographically dispersed service area.

The Chief of Pain Medicine ensures the quality, timeliness, and appropriateness of services provided and maintains accountability for clinical outcomes and service performance. The incumbent also functions as a clinical provider within his/her specialty and maintains responsibility for the overall clinical care delivered within the Pain Medicine Service.

The incumbent supports the Department of Veterans Affairs health care mission recognizing that the services provided are subject to oversight and scrutiny by Congressional stakeholders, Veterans Service Organizations, accrediting and regulatory agencies, the public, and the media.

The incumbent independently exercises clinical and administrative judgment in managing complex patient care issues and operational challenges within the Pain Medicine Service. The Chief ensures that all service personnel understand and comply with local VATVCBHCS policies and procedures, VHA Directives, Joint Commission standards, State licensure requirements, accreditation standards, and VA Office of Inspector General expectations. The incumbent conducts ongoing reviews, performance monitoring, and quality assessments to ensure achievement of service objectives and adherence to regulatory and professional standards.

The Chief of Pain Medicine advises executive leadership regarding clinical policy implications, operational issues, and program development, and recommends appropriate courses of action. The incumbent collaborates with other clinical and administrative services to achieve medical center goals and maintain continuity of patient care across service lines. The Chief coordinates and negotiates resolution of complex interdisciplinary issues and prepares special reports, official correspondence, and responses, including those related to oversight inquiries and Congressional requests.

The incumbent coordinates care across disciplines using professional expertise and knowledge of pain management principles and integrated care practices. The Chief ensures effective collaboration among interventional and non\-interventional providers and rehabilitation disciplines and facilitates coordination with matrixed pain psychology and clinical pharmacy services to support comprehensive patient care.

Requirements

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### Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non\-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959\.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre\-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i\-9\-central/form\-i\-9\-acceptable\-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state\-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre\-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

### Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non\-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed.
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1\) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR

\[(2\) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR

(3\) Other residencies (non\-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences.

Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e., not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee\-basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather, they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs.

• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Preferred Experience:

• Board Certified or Board eligible in an area applicable to the position (e.g., Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pain Medicine, PM\&R, etc.)
• 2\+ years of administrative/supervisory experience or an MBA/MHA
• 5\+ years of clinical experience in Interventional Pain, non\-interventional Pain, Orthopedics, or PM\&R
• Active DEA
• Experience with the delivery of telemedicine

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The position requires light to moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds), light carrying (under 15 pounds), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (6 hours), standing (6 hours), both legs required, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted), mental/emotional stability, ability to perform privileges, and independently performs physical exam as appropriate.

### Education

Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are:

• Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted, or

• Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association for the year in which the degree was granted.

• For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1\) or (2\) above, facility officials must verify with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) that the applicant has met requirements for certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. \[If the applicant does not claim an ECFMG certificate, facility officials must still confirm that the medical school meets (or met) ECFMG eligibility requirements for the year the candidate graduated.]

NOTE: The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.

### Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health\-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full\-time, part\-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

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You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: A formal pay\-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre\-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10\-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF\-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets \- Veterans \- Job Seekers \- Veterans' Preference.

Required Documents

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To apply for this position, you must submit a C.V. and/or resume. Other documents may be requested later in the process if needed.

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp\-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one\-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two\-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

How to Apply

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• To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

• Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

To apply for this position online, complete steps 1 and 2 above by 11:59 PM (ET) on 04/13/2026 to receive consideration. Please note, this announcement may close prior to the closing date indicated if the position is filled through other means. If you are unable to apply online before the closing date click here and include the CAZM\-12913925\-26\-JLH in the Notes field.

During the application process you may have an option to opt\-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career\-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

### Agency contact information

VISN 17 SSU USAS Group

Email

VISN17SSUUSAS@va.gov

Address

*VA TX Valley Coastal Bend HCS*

*2601 Veterans Drive*

*Harlingen, TX 78550*

*US*### Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. We will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued, and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community\-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA\-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full\- and part\-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home\-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Overview

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Accepting applications

Open \& closing dates

04/09/2026 to 04/13/2026

This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more

Salary

$260,000 \- $330,000 per year

Education and length of practice are considered through a formal pay\-setting process to determine the final compensable salary (Base Pay \+ Market Pay)

Pay scale \& grade

VM 15

Locations

1 vacancy in the following locations:

Corpus Christi, TX

Harlingen, TX

Remote job

No

Telework eligible

Yes—Ad\-hoc

Travel Required

25% or less \- You may be expected to travel for this position.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full\-time

Service

Excepted

Promotion potential

None

Job family (Series)

• 0602 Medical Officer

Supervisory status

Yes

Security clearance

Other

Drug test

Yes

Position sensitivity and risk

Non\-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure

No

Bargaining unit status

No

Announcement number

CAZM\-12913925\-26\-JLH

Control number

864497800