Champion Specialized Care – Outpatient Section Chief, Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders
Job at a glance
Job description
The South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) is seeking a skilled, compassionate, and motivated Physician to serve as the Outpatient Section Chief for the Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders (SCI/D) Service at the Audie Murphy VA Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. This is a full-time, leadership-focused clinical and administrative role supporting one of the nation’s largest and most respected VA healthcare systems.
Position Overview
The SCI/D Outpatient Section Chief provides both hands-on clinical care and high-level administrative leadership. The role supports four other physicians and a multidisciplinary clinical team providing care to approximately 600 Veterans living with spinal cord injuries or disorders.
Primary responsibilities include:
Administrative Duties: • Lead outpatient SCI/D physicians and assigned staff.
• Participate in staff meetings, committees, accreditation activities, and peer review.
• Ensure timely documentation, credentialing maintenance, mandatory training completion.
• Manage time and leave processes, clinic cancellations, and clinical coverage needs.
• Oversee productivity, access metrics, open encounters, and consult management.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Nurse Manager on efficient clinic operations.
• Support performance improvement and quality initiatives across the service.
Clinical Duties: • Maintain active privileges and clinical practice in the physician’s specialty.
• Deliver high-quality patient care including assessment, diagnosis, and management.
• Demonstrate strong clinical judgment using evidence-based medicine.
• Communicate effectively with Veterans, families, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Model professionalism, ethics, and a commitment to continuous growth.
• Provide off-tour inpatient/consult coverage on a rotational basis (nights, weekends, holidays).
Job Responsibilities
• Outpatient practice based at Audie Murphy VA Hospital.
• Review SCI/D service consults for neuro-rehab appropriateness.
• Participate in facility-wide performance measures including access and utilization.
• Engage in accreditation, quality management, peer review, and hospital committees.
• Maintain licensure, board certification, and academic affiliate requirements.
• Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:30am–4:00pm.
Team Structure: Four physicians, Assistant Nurse Manager, two RNs, one LVN, one CNA
• Full interdisciplinary support: physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, pharmacy, social work
Patient Population: Approx. 600 Veterans with spinal cord injuries or neurologic disorders
• Highly rewarding care environment serving chronic and complex neuro-rehab needs
Professional Development: Strong VA-supported opportunities for training, education, QI projects, research involvement, and academic participation.
Qualifications
Basic/Preferred Qualifications: Board Certified or Board Eligible in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation or Neurology
• Experience in neurorehabilitation (inpatient or outpatient), specializing in SCI/D preferred
• Experience or interest in spinal cord medicine, pain, musculoskeletal medicine, or rehab subspecialties
• Minimum three years of supervisory or leadership experience
VA Employment Requirements: • U.S. Citizens strongly encouraged; non-citizens will be considered when qualified candidates are not available
• Unrestricted medical license from any U.S. state or territory
• Completion of residency training approved by the VA
• Successful background check and onboarding requirements
Working Hours
Skills
• Expertise in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation or Neurology
• Strong neuro‑rehabilitation knowledge, specifically in spinal cord injury/disorders
• Proficiency in assessment, diagnosis, and longitudinal management of complex SCI/D patients
• Evidence‑based clinical decision-making
• Ability to manage chronic, multisystem conditions common in SCI/D (pain, spasticity, bowel/bladder issues, autonomic dysfunction, secondary complications)
• Effective communication with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams
• Competency in providing consultative support to inpatient/outpatient services
• Ability to maintain clinical privileges and uphold high professional standards
Leadership & Administrative Skills
• Supervisory experience with physicians and multidisciplinary staff
• Ability to oversee clinic operations, workflow, and access metrics
• Competence in time/leave management, scheduling, and coverage coordination
• Experience with performance improvement, quality initiatives, and accreditation activities
• Familiarity with VA documentation standards, encounter management, and consult processes
• Skills in monitoring productivity, performance measures, and compliance requirements
• Ability to collaborate effectively with nursing leadership and cross‑service partners
• Strong organizational and delegation skills
• Capability to represent the SCI/D service on committees, peer review, and hospital initiatives
Interpersonal & Professional Skills
• High emotional intelligence and empathy, especially for complex/chronic patient populations
• Clear, respectful, and transparent communication style
• Ability to build strong team relationships and foster a positive care environment
• Professionalism, ethical conduct, and commitment to continuous growth
• Teaching and mentorship skills (for trainees, staff, or academic partners)
Preferred or Specialized Skills
• Spinal cord medicine expertise or fellowship training
• Experience in pain management, musculoskeletal medicine, or rehab subspecialties
• Familiarity with VA systems: CPRS, VistA, scheduling, clinical performance dashboards
• Experience participating in or leading QI projects, research, or academic work
• Understanding of rehabilitation technologies and adaptive equipment