Physician - Interventional Pain Medicine

Veterans Health Administration • Honolulu, HI

1d

About The Position

This physician serves as a licensed independent practitioner and physiatrist (PM&R) with subspecialty training and/or demonstrated competency in interventional pain medicine at the VA Pacific Islands Healthcare System (VAPIHCS). The physician evaluates and manages acute and chronic pain, performs interventional pain procedures within approved privileges, supports interdisciplinary rehabilitation and pain-management services, and provides high-quality, patient-centered care to Veterans across VAPIHCS facilities.

The physician works under the chain of command of the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) PM&R or their designee, with clinical oversight by the Chief of Staff. New privileges are subject to focused professional practice evaluation, including direct observation or proctoring for a defined number of cases. Advanced or neuromodulation procedures may require additional proctoring or co-management with Neurosurgery or Anesthesia Pain Medicine under local policy. Residents and fellows performing procedures must be supervised in accordance with VHA Directive 1400.01. Work is evaluated for clinical effectiveness, policy compliance, quality of care, and contribution to service-level goals.

The position follows a Monday–Friday schedule, with some Saturdays, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Compensation and benefits include a competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases, paid leave and federal holidays, federal retirement and 401(k), insurance programs, possible CME reimbursement, malpractice protection with tail coverage, and eligibility for recruitment/relocation incentives and the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to applicable requirements. There is no physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved or accredited school.
• 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 leading to board-certification eligibility, or an applicable alternative training and independent-practice pathway described in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Ability to meet VA employment conditions, including applicable drug testing, Selective Service registration, background/security investigation, onboarding, TB testing and immunization evaluations, and seasonal influenza vaccination.
• Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including lifting 15–44 pounds; pushing for approximately two hours; reaching above shoulder level; using fingers and both hands; walking and standing for 3–5 hours; kneeling; rapid mental and muscular coordination; depth perception; and distinguishing basic colors and shades.

Nice To Haves

• Board certification in Interventional Pain, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Pain Medicine.
• Subspecialty training and/or demonstrated competency in interventional pain medicine.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive musculoskeletal, neurologic, and pain-focused history and physical examinations, including functional assessments and rehabilitation planning.
• Diagnose and provide non-operative management of acute and chronic spine, joint, musculoskeletal, neuropathic, myofascial, cancer-related, and post-amputation or phantom-limb pain conditions.
• Develop and oversee multidisciplinary, biopsychosocial pain treatment plans consistent with VA/DoD guidance for chronic opioid therapy and the Stepped Care Model for Pain Management.
• Assess and manage chronic pain with emphasis on multimodal, non-opioid-focused approaches and appropriate tapering or cross-titration to partial agonist opioid therapy when indicated.
• Order and interpret diagnostic studies relevant to PM&R and pain medicine, including X-rays, MRI, EMG/NCS, and ultrasound as privileged.
• Refer and coordinate care with Whole Health, behavioral health, physical and occupational therapy, addiction medicine, surgical specialties, social work, nurse educators, pharmacy, and primary care.
• Perform needle EMG and nerve conduction studies to evaluate radiculopathy, plexopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and myopathy.
• Perform cervical, thoracic, and lumbar epidural steroid injections using interlaminar and transforaminal approaches.
• Perform cervical, thoracic, and lumbar facet joint injections and diagnostic medial branch blocks.
• Perform sacroiliac joint injections and sacroiliac joint radiofrequency ablation of the lateral branch.
• Perform cervical, thoracic, and lumbar medial branch radiofrequency ablation or neurotomy; perform cooled or pulsed radiofrequency procedures if separately trained.
• Perform peripheral joint injections and aspirations, including shoulder, hip, knee, and other appendicular joints.
• Perform peripheral nerve blocks, such as genicular, suprascapular, and occipital blocks.
• Perform trigger point injections and ultrasound-guided musculoskeletal and nerve injections.
• Perform regenerative or orthobiologic injections, such as platelet-rich plasma, if approved under local policy.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or department leadership.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program reimbursement, potentially up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and program approval.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives (sign-on bonus) are authorized.
• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, federal holidays, and possible paid CME absence.
• Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k), with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance programs.
• Possible $1,000 annual CME reimbursement for full-time, board-certified physicians.
• 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