Elevate Your Medical Career: Become a Spinal Cord Injury Physician at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center

Physicians dedicated to rehabilitative medicine recognize that treating spinal cord injuries requires a sophisticated, comprehensive approach. It demands a clinical setting where cutting-edge technology, collaborative rehabilitation teams, and deep patient relationships converge. For medical professionals aiming to make a life-changing impact, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a powerful opportunity: joining the Spinal Cord Injury Service at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

As a Spinal Cord Injury Physician within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), you will deliver expert clinical care to men and women who served in the United States military. This role is more than a clinical post; it is a vital mission focused on restoring independence, managing complex chronic conditions, and improving the quality of life for Veterans. With competitive remuneration ranging from $250,000 to $400,000 annually, outstanding federal benefits, and up to $200,000 in student loan repayment, this position stands out as an exceptional milestone for any forward-thinking physician.

About the Agency: The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System

The Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated healthcare network in the United States. Its mission is deeply rooted in President Abraham Lincoln's promise "to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors." Within this national system, the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System shines as a beacon of clinical excellence and academic research.

Serving over 111,500 Veterans across 21 counties in Northeast Ohio, this expansive healthcare system comprises 18 clinical care locations, including 13 community-based outpatient clinics, community resource centers, a psychosocial rehabilitation center, and an outpatient surgery center. At the heart of this network is the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center.

A National Hub of Medical Innovation

The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center is a premier national and regional referral facility. It is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic technologies and supports a highly active research ecosystem. Notably, the medical center hosts two globally recognized VA research centers:

The Cleveland FES Center: A leader in Functional Electrical Stimulation, creating neuroprosthetic solutions to restore movement and function to individuals with paralysis.
The APT Center (Advanced Platform Technology): An innovative hub developing assistive technologies and clinical platforms for rehabilitative medicine.

By joining this clinical community, you work alongside pioneering scientists and clinicians who are actively redefining neuro-rehabilitation and spinal cord injury care.

Job Responsibilities: Advanced, Interdisciplinary Care

The Staff Physician for the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Service oversees the continuous care of Veterans navigating acute and chronic spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D). Operating in a collaborative, interdisciplinary framework, your primary duties involve clinical management across inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and SCI long-term residential care programs.

Key responsibilities include:

Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation: Performing and documenting detailed medical histories and physical examinations tailored for spinal cord and neuro-rehabilitation evaluations, using VA-specific electronic templates.
Interdisciplinary Leadership: Directing care plans alongside physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, neuropsychologists, and social workers to optimize patient outcomes.
Specialized Clinical Procedures: Performing essential therapeutic procedures, including joint injections, trigger point therapy, and chemoneurolysis, within your privileged scope of practice.
Educational and Academic Oversight: Providing guidance, clinical instruction, and supervision to rotating resident physicians and healthcare students as a clinical preceptor.
Telehealth Integration: Delivering clinical consultations and performing comprehensive annual SCI examinations virtually to improve healthcare access for remote Veterans.
Whole Health Advocacy: Empowering patients through shared decision-making, preventative healthcare education, and recommending complementary therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and health coaching.
Quality and Performance Improvement: Contributing to institutional clinical quality reviews, peer reviews, root cause analyses, and multidisciplinary performance committees.
Service Coverage: Managing consults for rehabilitation appropriateness and participating in rotating weekend on-call coverage for the inpatient unit.

Qualification Requirements

To be considered for this Title 38 excepted service position, applicants must meet several core federal requirements. The qualifying factors are designed to attract highly skilled professionals prepared to handle complex rehabilitative clinical cases.

Citizenship: Candidates must be citizens of the United States. Non-citizens are considered for appointment only in exceptional cases where qualified U.S. citizens are unavailable.
Education: A Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from an institution accredited by the LCME or the COCA. International medical graduates must possess active certification from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
Licensure: An active, current, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Residency Training: Completion of an accredited clinical residency program approved by the ACGME or AOA in a core medical specialty that leads to board eligibility or board certification.
English Proficiency: Demonstrated fluency in written and spoken English.
Background Check & Health Screening: Passing a complete federal suitability background screening, credentialing process, a pre-employment drug test, and complying with the mandatory annual seasonal influenza vaccination program.

Required vs. Preferred Credentials

When evaluating applicants, the hiring committee distinguishes basic requirements from preferred professional expertise. To help gauge your suitability, review the qualifications side-by-side below:

Feature	Minimum Federal Requirement	Preferred Professional Credentials
Medical Degree	MD or DO from accredited LCME/COCA school	MD or DO with strong academic/residency credentials
Licensure	1 Active, unrestricted U.S. medical license	1 Active, unrestricted U.S. medical license
Residency	Completed ACGME/AOA core specialty residency	Completed residency in PM&R, Neurology, or Internal Medicine
Fellowship	Not required for basic appointment	Completed Spinal Cord Injury Medicine Fellowship
Board Status	Eligible for board certification	Board Certified (BC) or Board Eligible (BE) in SCI Medicine
Targeted Experience	General clinical medicine training	Background with ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, and Neuro-Rehab
Program Interest	Basic willingness to work in multidisciplinary teams	Active clinical interest in expanding interdisciplinary models

Salary Overview & Financial Incentives

The financial package for VHA physicians is structured to compete with private healthcare systems while offering unique federal benefits. For the Spinal Cord Injury Physician role, the annual salary is set between $250,000 and $400,000.

Key Financial Incentives:

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): This position is fully authorized for the EDRP, a highly sought-after student loan repayment program. Eligible physicians can receive up to $200,000 in tax-free student loan reimbursement over a five-year period. Your application must be submitted within four months of your appointment.
Sign-On / Relocation Incentives: Highly qualified candidates may be authorized for a sign-on bonus (recruitment incentive) or relocation assistance to help ease their transition to Cleveland.
Annual Performance Bonuses: Opportunities for regular, merit-based performance bonuses and structured annual salary increases are built into the VA compensation model.
No Employment Contracts: Unlike private-sector medical positions, VA physicians do not sign restrictive employment contracts, leaving them free from non-compete clauses and enabling approved moonlighting opportunities.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a robust, stable benefit system designed to support physicians throughout their careers and into retirement.

Extensive Paid Time Off: Enjoy 50 to 55 days of paid time off each year. This comprises 26 days of annual leave, 13 sick leave days, 11 paid federal holidays, and up to 5 days of authorized professional absence for Continuing Medical Education (CME).
Generous Pension Plans: Secure your future with the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) traditional pension, which vests in just five years, paired with the Thrift Savings Plan (401k-equivalent) featuring a 5% agency matching contribution.
Health and Life Insurance: Access a premium selection of federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance programs, many of which can be carried directly into retirement.
CME Reimbursement: Eligible full-time board-certified physicians can receive up to $1,000 annually to cover continuing education expenses.
Malpractice Protection: Experience peace of mind with full federal liability protection under the Federal Tort Claims Act. This includes built-in tail coverage at no cost to you.

Application Tips & Document Submission

Applying for a federal position requires meticulous attention to detail to successfully navigate the HR screening filters. Follow these expert tips to ensure your application stands out:

The Double-Resume Requirement: To apply, download the standard clinical resume document using the link provided in the vacancy announcement. Upload this unchanged, one-page document into the 'Resume' field. Next, upload your complete CV, detailing all clinical and research experience, into the 'Other' document slot. Failure to upload both files correctly may result in automated disqualification.
Showcase Neuro-Rehabilitation Experience: Highlight any clinical work with neuro-rehabilitation, multiple sclerosis, ALS, or spinal cord injuries on your CV. Detail your experience leading or working within multidisciplinary teams.
Claim Veterans' Preference: If you served in the military, submit a legible copy of your DD-214 showing your character of service. If claiming a 10-point preference, submit a completed SF-15 form with your supporting documentation.
Inquire Early About EDRP: Since EDRP approval is determined by the central loan repayment program office, contact the regional EDRP coordinator as soon as you receive a tentative job offer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can non-US citizens apply for this position?

A: Under VA policy, non-citizens are considered for medical appointments only when there are no qualified U.S. citizens available to fill the vacancy.

Q: Is board certification required for this role?

A: Board certification is highly preferred, but board eligibility is accepted. Physicians must have completed an accredited residency program that satisfies the requirements for board eligibility.

Q: How are physical requirements evaluated for this job?

A: Physical requirements focus on the mental and physical abilities needed to perform all clinical duties. Selected candidates must undergo clinical credentialing and health screening prior to appointment.

Q: What is the "Whole Health" system of care?

A: The Whole Health system is an innovative healthcare approach centered on the patient. It empowers individuals to develop personalized health plans in cooperation with their clinical team, integrating medical treatments with complementary therapies to improve overall well-being.

The Spinal Cord Injury Physician position at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center represents an outstanding clinical path. It combines advanced clinical work, professional independence, and a stable, supportive environment. Providing care to Veterans is a deeply meaningful pursuit, and this position supports that mission with competitive compensation, extensive retirement security, and comprehensive educational loan repayment.

If you are ready to apply your clinical skills to a noble cause and advance neuro-rehabilitative medicine, submit your application before the October 30, 2026 deadline.

Why This Physician (Spinal Cord Injury) Job Matters

Elevate your medical career in Cleveland, Ohio, by leading an advanced interdisciplinary team in spinal cord injury care, supported by unmatched federal benefits and up to $200,000 in student loan repayment.

Physician (Spinal Cord Injury) Job Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a highly skilled Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Physician to join the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System in Cleveland, Ohio. This vital role involves overseeing comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care for Veterans suffering from acute and chronic spinal cord injuries. The position offers an exceptional salary range of $250,000 to $400,000, robust retirement benefits, extensive annual paid time off, and access to student loan reimbursement through the Education Debt Reduction Program.

Requirements for Physician (Spinal Cord Injury)

United States Citizenship (non-citizens may only be appointed if qualified citizens are unavailable).
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from an accredited institution.
Current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Successful completion of an accredited residency program leading to board eligibility or certification in a core specialty.
Demonstrated proficiency in both spoken and written English.
Participation in the annual seasonal influenza immunization program.
Passing a pre-employment background/security investigation, credentialing process, and drug screening.

Preferred Qualifications for Physician (Spinal Cord Injury)

Completed Spinal Cord Injury Medicine Fellowship training with Board Certified or Board Eligible (BC/BE) status.
Direct clinical experience managing general neurology, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or other neuro-rehabilitation disorders in inpatient or outpatient settings.
Active interest or clinical background in establishing and growing interdisciplinary neurological rehabilitation programs.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Highly competitive salary range from $250,000 to $400,000 per year, supplemented by annual performance bonuses.
✓Up to $200,000 in student loan reimbursement through the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).
✓Generous paid leave: 26 days of annual leave, 13 sick days, 11 paid federal holidays, and up to 5 days of authorized absence for continuing education.
✓Comprehensive federal retirement benefits: Traditional pension (vesting in 5 years) and a Thrift Savings Plan (401k-equivalent) with up to 5% agency matching.
✓Access to premier Federal health, vision, dental, life, and long-term care insurance programs.
✓Free federal malpractice protection with complete tail coverage.
✓No restrictive employment contracts and freedom to engage in approved moonlighting.

💡 How to Apply Physician (Spinal Cord Injury) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Physician (Spinal Cord Injury) Job

Log into USAJobs or set up a new account.
Download the mandatory standard Clinical Resume Document from the official VA careers portal.
Upload the unmodified, one-page Clinical Resume Document to the dedicated 'Resume' upload slot in USAJobs.
Upload your complete, unrestricted CV/Resume into the 'Other' document field.
Submit your complete application package, including any supporting documents and the occupational questionnaire, before the October 30, 2026 deadline.

💡 General Tips

Ensure you strictly follow the two-resume upload instructions to prevent automated system disqualification.
Double-check that you have uploaded a legible copy of your DD-214 or SF-15 if you are claiming Veterans' Preference.
Highlight any neuro-rehabilitative work, specifically with MS, ALS, or acute spinal injuries, directly on your CV.
If hired, initiate your Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) application within the first four months of your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are recruitment or relocation incentives available for this role?

Yes, relocation or sign-on incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

What does the typical work schedule look like?

The general schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, though hours may vary depending on clinical service needs, including rotating weekend on-call duties.

Can I apply if I am not currently Board Certified in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine?

Yes. While fellowship training and board certification in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine are preferred, candidates with experience or interest in neuro rehabilitation, MS, ALS, or general neurology are welcome to apply.

Is a private malpractice policy required for this position?

No. As a federal employee, you will be covered by complete liability protection with built-in tail coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act.