Staff Physician – Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder Service (SCI/D)
Job at a glance
Job description
About the Opportunity
Join the Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder Service (SCI/D) team at the South Texas VA, where you’ll provide world-class care to Veterans living with spinal cord injuries and disorders. This is a unique opportunity to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment focused on rehabilitation and neuro medicine.
Compensation & Incentives
• Salary Range: $240,000–$300,000
• Competitive salary based on VA Physician Pay Table
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Up to $40,000 per year for 5 years (maximum $200,000) Tax Free.
• Sign-On Bonus & Relocation Assistance available.
• Academic Affiliation: Faculty appointment opportunities with UT Health San Antonio.
Exceptional VA Benefits
• Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which includes:
- Lifetime Pension
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% matching
- Social Security participation
• Comprehensive Insurance: Health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Paid Time Off: Generous annual leave, sick leave, and 11 federal holidays.
• Malpractice Coverage: Provided at no cost.
• Work-Life Balance: Predictable schedule, no RVU pressure, and strong support for wellness.
Why San Antonio?
San Antonio offers a vibrant lifestyle with affordable living, excellent schools, rich cultural heritage, and year-round outdoor activities. Enjoy the benefits of Texas living—no state income tax, diverse dining, and proximity to the Hill Country.
Job Responsibilities
• Provide comprehensive outpatient care for SCI/D patients.
• Perform detailed history and physical exams, EMG, injections, and other procedures.
• Collaborate with Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Neuropsychology, and other specialties.
• Document care in CPRS and maintain compliance with national guidelines.
• Educate patients and families on treatment plans and rehabilitation strategies.
• Participate in performance improvement activities and optional clinical research.
• On-call duties include rotational weekend coverage for inpatient rehab.
Qualifications
Required:
• MD or DO degree
• Board Certified or Board Eligible in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation or Neurology
Preferred:
• Experience in neurorehabilitation (SCI/D)
• Interest in pain management, spinal cord medicine, musculoskeletal medicine
Working Hours
• Setting: Primarily outpatient with occasional inpatient consults.
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM (No routine nights or weekends except rotational call).
• Team: Work alongside 4 physicians, nursing staff, social workers, pharmacists, and therapists.
• Patient Population: Approximately 600 Veterans on the SCI/D registry.
Skills
• Comprehensive outpatient management of SCI/D patients
• Ability to perform detailed history and physical examinations
• Proficiency in EMG, joint/musculoskeletal injections, and related procedures
• Strong diagnostic and clinical decision‑making skills in neurorehabilitation
• Ability to manage acute and chronic complications of spinal cord injury
• Competence in interdisciplinary care planning and coordination
Documentation & Compliance Skills
• Accurate and timely charting in CPRS
• Knowledge of VA and national clinical guidelines
• Ability to participate in quality improvement and performance metrics
Collaboration & Communication Skills
• Effective communication with patients, families, and caregivers
• Team‑based approach with PT, OT, nursing, neuropsychology, pharmacy, and social work
• Ability to lead and participate in interdisciplinary team meetings
Educational & Teaching Skills
• Patient and family education on rehabilitation goals and long‑term management
• Optional involvement in resident/fellow or trainee teaching (via UT Health SA affiliation)
Additional Preferred Skills
• Experience or interest in neurorehabilitation specific to SCI/D
• Skills in pain management, musculoskeletal medicine, or spasticity management
• Comfort with inpatient consults and rotational call coverage
• Interest in clinical research or academic engagement