Chief of Rheumatology (Physician Leader)

Quick Facts

• Physician leader to oversee adult Rheumatology operations across three VA care sites (Salisbury, Charlotte, Kernersville)

Description

This role provides clinical and administrative leadership for adult Rheumatology services, ensuring high-quality care in outpatient clinics and inpatient consults. You will establish and enforce Rheumatology practice standards, oversee provider coding for billing, manage quality assurance/improvement, and support clinician-educator-research activities including teaching and research initiatives.

Responsibilities

Administrative

• Facilitate communication among Rheumatology Section members and Medicine Service supervisors
• Review and monitor Rheumatology staff clinical privileges
• Recommend disciplinary action for professional conduct detrimental to the service
• Lead provider coding practices for billing
• Establish and manage a quality assurance/improvement plan in coordination with quality management
• Monitor and approve Rheumatology staff leaves of absence

Clinical

• Direct and supervise Rheumatology clinical staff
• Ensure high-quality medical care in outpatient clinics and inpatient consults
• Develop, monitor, and enforce clinical practice standards, policies, and procedures
• Maintain clinical privileges in areas of expertise
• Apply sound clinical and administrative decision-making

Academic (Wake Forest faculty appointments)

• Teach residents, fellows, and medical students (rounds, lectures, conferences)
• Participate in grading sessions for medical students and GME trainees
• Train trainees in procedures required for optimal patient care
• Assist with development and implementation of education and training programs

Research

• Support the medical center-wide research mission
• Assist with studies on treatment modalities and outcomes when appropriate
• Abide by VA research protocol/policy requirements
• Encourage clinical research participation among staff

Additional duties

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for Rheumatology services across Salisbury, Charlotte, and Kernersville
• Deliver and supervise complex inpatient/outpatient care, consults, and procedural services
• Improve outcomes through process improvement initiatives and data-driven practice
• Advance education and scholarship; supervise trainees and foster research and quality improvement aligned with section goals

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (non-citizens only if a qualified-citizen cannot be recruited per VA policy)
• MD/DO degree from a VA-approved allopathic or osteopathic school
• Current full and unrestricted medical license to practice medicine in a U.S. state/territory/commonwealth or DC
• Completion of VA-approved residency training in an accredited core specialty program leading to board certification eligibility
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Successful completion of VA onboarding and pre-employment requirements (including physical exam)
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program
• Selective Service registration for male candidates born after 12/31/1959
• Faculty appointment at Wake Forest University School of Medicine with protected time for education and research

Benefits

• Competitive salary with annual performance bonus and regular salary increases
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year (annual leave, sick leave, paid federal holidays; possible CME-related paid absence)
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% VA contributions
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance options
• Malpractice coverage with free liability protection and tail coverage
• Possible CME reimbursement of $1,000/year for full-time, board-certified physicians
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting
• Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:30am–4:00pm