Rheumatologist-Physician Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is a teaching hospital that provides a full range of services. The medical center is on a 119‑acre campus featuring 350 acute care beds. We provide health care services at 12 locations in southeast Texas. Work Schedule To be discussed during the interview Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50‑55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Responsibilities Provide high‑quality diagnosing and treating autoimmune rheumatic conditions Diagnose and effectively manage rheumatic conditions using various evidence‑based advanced treatment options Prescribe Veterans with appropriate medication for treatment, health regimens and lifestyle adjustments Rheumatology inpatient and outpatient consults Electronic chart reviews Outpatient clinics Telehealth clinics Trainee education Research (optional) Treats autoimmune rheumatic conditions, including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, vasculitides, systemic lupus, crystalline arthropathies, polymyalgia rheumatica, Sjogren's, inflammatory muscle disease Willing to treat other musculoskeletal conditions like fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis Studies signs and symptoms of rheumatic disease and evaluates its effect on the system Designs customized and individualized treatments, depending on a patient's disease Orders and interprets diagnostic results effectively Uses technologies and tools like radiographs, MRIs, and ultrasound Maintain historical records by documenting symptoms, medications, and treatment events and writing summaries. Keep abreast of advancements in their specialization as Rheumatologist and best practices by attending seminars and conferences Sign off on PA and Nurse Practitioner notes as well as review lab results and imaging studies during downtime (non‑patient care periods during the clinical shift) Use universal precautions, HIPAA, and OSHA concepts and requirements Complete all medical record documentation within guidelines and appropriate deadlines Participate in medical duties related to quality of care, peer review, and section/service meetings #J-18808-Ljbffr