U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Key Responsibilities

• • Provide high-quality patient care and education using a consultative/triage-focused model primarily serving Veterans with isolated musculoskeletal complaints and providing in-clinic injections including corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, and platelet-rich-plasma under ultrasound guidance
• • Continue collaboration with specialty programs for more complex cases including outpatient polytrauma for MSK issues with neurologic comorbidities and comprehensive pain clinic for non-operative patients requiring long-term pain management
• • Supervise and mentor both PM&RS and orthopedic residents in a dynamic, team-oriented clinic environment
• • Work alongside therapy staff who are immediately available to support flexible scheduling, rapid coordination, and efficient patient flow
• • Participate in acute inpatient rehabilitation call coverage for a 12-bed inpatient unit (approximately 4-5 weeks per year evenly distributed across faculty)
• • Leadership of interdisciplinary team activities
• • Review orthopedic surgery and/or PM&R consults for medical appropriateness
• • Participate in peer reviews
• • Maintain medical licensing and Board certification requirements
• • Obtain resident supervisory privileges through medical school affiliate
• • Supervise IPU-assigned Physical and Occupational Therapy staff in collaboration with the Outpatient Therapy Supervisor
• • Respond to service concerns including Patient Advocate, White House, or Congressional complaints
• • Respond to and complete consults received for the evaluation of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• • Perform a comprehensive, detailed, targeted initial history and physical examination in compliance with national guidelines
• • Utilize diagnostic point-of-care ultrasound as necessary to refine differential diagnosis and treatment plan
• • Order diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests, X-rays, electromyography (EMG), electrocardiograms (EKGs), and other tests as approved by the supervising PM&R Physician
• • Consult other disciplines as necessary to complete the patient examination (e.g., Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, neuropsychological testing, audiology and speech language pathology testing, vision testing, dental evaluation, psychosocial evaluation)
• • Carry out health promotion and disease prevention activities including education and shared decision-making
• • Write Medical Orders and prescriptions for non-controlled substances as necessary in accordance with Federal and State law and approval of the supervising PM&R Physician
• • Evaluate and treat clinical conditions associated with the musculoskeletal system including specialty care
• • Perform corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, and platelet-rich-plasma injections and other clinic-based procedures as indicated
• • Provide call coverage of inpatient rehabilitation unit
• • Document care provided in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) in accordance with South Texas Veterans Health Care System requirements
• • Document the detailed, targeted, initial history and physical examination required for evaluation in the electronic tool(s) required by VA
• • Provide education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs
• • Perform non-routine duties as assigned by the Outpatient PM&R Section Chief