Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehab

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, GA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehab leads the physical medicine and rehabilitation service at the Augusta VA Medical Center, which serves veterans in the Augusta, Georgia area. The role provides clinical and administrative leadership, guides a team of physiatrists, and supports rehabilitation care across the continuum, including inpatient rehabilitation and consultation with other clinical services. The position also oversees traumatic brain injury performance measures and contributes expertise in pain management, complementary and alternative medicine, and procedural interventions.

The Chief is responsible for effective delivery of rehabilitative and medical services in accordance with Joint Commission, HIPAA, protected health information, and VA Central Office performance standards. The role follows patients through admission and discharge, coordinates rehabilitation diagnostics and treatment tailored to their needs, educates and counsels patients and families, and coordinates transfers involving external Veteran patients. The Chief also attends staff meetings, completes required training and documentation, and follows VA policies and procedures to promote patient safety and high-quality care.

This is an open continuous announcement that remains open until September 30, 2027, with eligible applications referred at monthly cutoffs or as additional vacancies arise. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., subject to change based on agency needs. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive salary, possible recruitment or relocation incentives, paid time off, retirement and insurance programs, possible CME reimbursement, and malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved or accredited institution.
• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Completion of qualifying residency training in an accredited core specialty training program, or an applicable alternative training and independent-practice pathway described in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least two years of experience as a service chief overseeing a medical staff.
• At least two years of experience as an attending physician.
• Current board certification in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
• Extensive leadership and administrative experience managing a physical medicine service, including supervision of clinical staff, program development, and resource management.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams in rehabilitation initiatives or research that produce measurable improvements in patient outcomes, care-delivery efficiency, or access to rehabilitation services. Applicants who do not meet this selective placement factor are ineligible for further consideration.
• Must meet physical and mental requirements to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must pass required pre-employment screening and physical evaluation; comply with applicable background/security investigation and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements; and complete online onboarding and application requirements.
• Written and spoken English proficiency; male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Specific examples in the application package demonstrating measurable achievements in improving patient outcomes, care-delivery efficiency, or access to rehabilitation services.
• Expertise in complementary and alternative medicine and/or procedural pain interventions.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance to a team of physiatrists serving as rehabilitation consultants to other clinical staff, including nursing home care providers.
• Supervise and direct care for patients receiving rehabilitation services in the inpatient rehabilitation program as needed.
• Oversee traumatic brain injury performance measures, monitor performance, and refer to case management as appropriate.
• Provide guidance on pain management and expansion of the complementary and alternative medicine program, including CAM and procedural pain interventions.
• Provide expert guidance in procedures such as electromyography, nerve conduction testing, trigger point injections, and joint injections.
• Ensure effective delivery of rehabilitative and medical services while meeting or exceeding Joint Commission, HIPAA, PHI, and VA Central Office performance standards.
• Follow patients through the continuum of care, including admission and discharge; perform histories and physicals; and request or assist in coordinating rehabilitation diagnostics and treatment modalities tailored to patient needs.
• Educate and counsel patients and families as appropriate.
• Transfer and receive external Veteran patients from other facilities as appropriate.
• Attend staff meetings and complete required Talent Management System training.
• Complete medical documentation in a timely manner as directed by VHA and local policies.
• Follow VA policies, procedures, and guidelines to promote patient safety and high-quality care.
• Lead and manage the physical medicine service, including clinical staff supervision, program development, and resource management.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams in developing and implementing clinical rehabilitation initiatives or research.

Benefits

• Possible recruitment or relocation incentive (sign-on bonus) for well-qualified applicants.
• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and possible five-day paid absence for CME.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 per year CME reimbursement for full-time physicians with board certification.
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree