Embark on a Rewarding Career as a Pain Management Physician at the Salem VA Medical Center

Are you an accomplished medical practitioner looking to combine highly rewarding clinical work with an exceptional quality of life? The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a board-eligible or board-certified Physician in Pain Management to join the dedicated staff at the Salem VA Medical Center in Salem, Virginia. This vacancy presents a unique opportunity to build a meaningful, long-term clinical practice focused entirely on patient care rather than insurance approvals, complex billing metrics, or restrictive non-compete agreements.

In this role, you will be part of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system. You will provide invaluable chronic pain solutions to the brave men and women who served in our military. Operating within a collaborative, multidisciplinary clinical model, you will leverage advanced diagnostic strategies and interventional techniques to restore quality of life to Veterans in the breathtaking Blue Ridge region of Virginia.

About the Agency: The Salem VA Medical Center

The Department of Veterans Affairs operates with a clear, noble mission: to fulfill President Abraham Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors." At the Salem VA Medical Center, this mission is translated daily into state-of-the-art medical treatments and compassionate, whole-health clinical programs.

Located in the vibrant Roanoke-Salem metropolitan area, the Salem VA Medical Center serves a diverse population of Veterans across southwestern Virginia. The surrounding community offers an unparalleled quality of life, featuring:

An incredibly reasonable cost of living and affordable housing market.
Excellent public and private primary and secondary schools.
Abundant outdoor recreational activities, including immediate access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, Smith Mountain Lake, and local mountainside wineries.
A rich metropolitan culture complete with museums, galleries, a symphony, ballet, and minor-league professional sports teams.
Convenient driving proximity to Virginia Tech (45 minutes) and major East Coast metropolitan hubs.

By joining the Salem VA Medical Center, you are not just accepting a job; you are choosing an active, enriching lifestyle in one of Virginia's most beautiful regions.

Job Responsibilities: Advanced Clinical Pain Medicine

As a Pain Management Physician at the Salem VA, you will operate as a key clinical expert in chronic pain management. You will deliver a balanced mix of inpatient and outpatient services, designing and executing therapeutic regimens that address physical, neurological, and emotional factors related to chronic pain.

Clinical Diagnostics and Care Delivery

Comprehensive Evaluations: Perform focused physical examinations, construct detailed medical histories, and order and interpret diagnostic imaging, laboratory tests, and neurological studies.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Partner with primary care providers, physical and occupational therapists, mental health professionals, and neurologists to design cohesive, holistic chronic pain programs.
Treatment Formulations: Maintain clinical oversight of complex pharmacotherapy strategies, utilizing both non-opioid and carefully monitored opioid regimens, alongside non-invasive physical modalities.

Interventional Procedures

In both the inpatient and outpatient procedural suites, you will routinely conduct advanced interventional therapies to alleviate pain. Your scope of clinical practice will include, but is not limited to:

Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar epidural steroid injections.
Cervical and lumbar facet joint blocks, medial branch blocks, and sacroiliac joint injections.
Pulsed and continuous Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA).
Sympathetic blocks, including stellate ganglion and lumbar para-vertebral blocks.
Trigger point injections, piriformis muscle injections, occipital nerve blocks, and Botox injections for chronic migraine or muscular pain disorders.
Advanced neuromodulation, including spinal cord stimulator (SCS) trials, permanent implantation, and clinical maintenance programs.

Additionally, you will participate in rotating on-call schedules, conduct peer reviews, suggest systems-based improvements for quality control, and contribute to the safety and health programs of the medical facility.

Requirements and Qualifications

To ensure the highest standard of medical care for Veterans, candidates must meet specific professional standards established by federal civil service guidelines.

Basic Educational and Licensing Credentials

Citizenship: Applicants must be U.S. citizens. However, qualified non-citizens may be considered and hired under specific guidelines if no qualified citizens are available.
Medical Degree: Candidates must possess a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from an educational program accredited by the LCME or COCA. Foreign medical graduates must hold equivalent certification from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
Active Licensure: A current, active, full, and unrestricted medical license from any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia is required.
Residency Training: Completion of an accredited ACGME or AOA core residency program that makes you eligible for specialty board certification.
Language Proficiency: Written and spoken English fluency is mandatory.

Physical Requirements and Pre-Employment Clearances

Physical Agility: This role requires long periods of standing, walking, bending, stooping, lifting, and the coordination needed to execute precise interventional procedures.
Drug Testing: Candidates must pass a pre-employment urinalysis to screen for illegal drug usage.
Immunization: Compliance with the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program is a condition of clinical employment for all VA health personnel.

Salary Overview and Pay-Setting Process

The starting salary for a Pain Management Physician at the Salem VA is highly competitive and falls within a broad band determined by the formal pay-setting committee:

Minimum Annual Salary: $250,000
Maximum Annual Salary: $350,000

The VA utilizes a formal pay-setting committee comprised of peer physicians who evaluate your complete professional background, including postgraduate training, years of specialty practice, board certifications, academic contributions, and professional leadership roles. Consequently, every month of prior clinical and volunteer medical service counts directly toward placing you at the upper tiers of this salary range.

Additionally, federal physicians are eligible for an annual performance bonus and receive regular longevity pay increases based on continuous federal service.

VA Benefits vs. Private Sector Comparison

Choosing a career with the Department of Veterans Affairs offers administrative, financial, and personal lifestyle benefits that are rarely matched in the private healthcare sector. The table below illustrates the key structural differences between a VA pain management career and a typical private-practice scenario:

Benefit Feature	Salem VA Medical Center (VHA)	Typical Private Practice
Salary Structure	Stable $250,000 - $350,000, unaffected by insurance billing cycles	Dependent on RVUs, clinic collections, and overhead costs
Administrative Burden	Zero prior authorizations, minimal insurance billing overhead	Extensive pre-authorizations and complex insurance coding
Malpractice Insurance	Free, full federal tort claims coverage (including tail coverage)	Expensive premiums; restrictive, costly tail insurance
Paid Time Off	50 to 55 days annually (including annual, sick, and federal holidays)	Typically 15 to 25 days, often with high call coverage burdens
Employment Contract	No binding employment contracts or restrictive non-competes	Heavy non-compete clauses and strict geographic limitations
Student Loan Repayment	EDRP eligibility for up to $200,000 in tax-free reimbursement	Rarely offered or highly restricted by private group partners

Exceptional Benefits and Perks

Beyond basic salary parameters, the VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your financial health, professional development, and long-term retirement security.

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)

This position is fully authorized for the Education Debt Reduction Program. If approved, you can receive up to $200,000 over a five-year period to directly pay down qualifying undergraduate, graduate, and medical school student loans. To secure your eligibility for this program, you must onboard with the Salem VA Medical Center by the critical deadline of July 30, 2026.

Federal Pension and Retirement Security

VA physicians are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which provides a stable, guaranteed life-long pension upon vesting (at just 5 years of service). In addition, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) functions like a premium 401(k), offering immediate 1% agency automatic contributions and up to an additional 4% matching contribution for a total of 5% in matching funds.

Robust Leave and Educational Support

Enjoy 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays. Furthermore, full-time board-certified physicians may receive up to 5 days of paid educational absence to attend Continuing Medical Education (CME) seminars, as well as up to $1,000 per year in direct CME expense reimbursement.

Application Tips and Onboarding Process

Applying for a federal physician role involves a highly structured process. To ensure your application navigates the automated human resources portals successfully, keep these essential strategy tips in mind:

Utilize the Required Standardized Template: The VA uses a specific, one-page Clinical Resume Document to parse basic candidate demographics. You must download this document from the official VA Careers site, leave the layout completely unmodified, and upload it to the restricted two-page "Resume" field on USAJOBS.
Upload Your Detailed CV Separately: Because the primary resume field is restricted to the one-page template, you should upload your complete, multi-page professional CV, highlighting all clinical procedures, publications, and board certifications, into the "Other" document upload field.
Incorporate Detailed Dates: When documenting your previous residencies, fellowships, and attending positions, list the exact month and year for every entry. Leaving gaps or omitting precise dates can slow down the HR qualification process and affect your initial salary determination.
Onboard Early for Loan Repayment: Because of the administrative review times required for the EDRP loan reimbursement award, you should target an onboarding date well ahead of the July 30, 2026 deadline.

The Pain Management Physician position at the Salem VA Medical Center represents more than a clinical career; it is an invitation to practice medicine in its purest form, dedicated completely to the healing and support of American Veterans. Set against the scenic beauty of Virginia's Blue Ridge mountains, this role offers an ideal balance of professional accomplishment, excellent compensation, and stable, long-term benefits.

Take the next step in your medical career. Apply today and join a world-class clinical team that honors military service through medical excellence.

Why This Physician - Pain Management Job Matters

Elevate your medical career in Virginia's stunning Blue Ridge region. Deliver world-class, interdisciplinary pain management to our nation's heroes while enjoying a premium $250k–$350k salary, up to $200,000 in student loan repayment, and unmatched clinical freedom.

Physician - Pain Management Job Overview

The Veterans Health Administration is seeking a dedicated, highly skilled Physician specializing in Pain Management to join the clinical team at the Salem VA Medical Center in Salem, Virginia. This full-time position offers an exceptional opportunity to direct chronic pain care programs through diagnostic evaluations, medical therapies, and advanced interventional procedures. The role is designed for a board-eligible or board-certified practitioner who thrives in an interdisciplinary care setting and is looking for a stable, fulfilling career with robust federal benefits, zero malpractice premium costs, and no restrictive employment covenants.

Requirements for Physician - Pain Management

United States Citizenship (Non-citizens may only be appointed when qualified citizens are unavailable).
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from an approved, accredited school of medicine.
Current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Completion of an approved ACGME or AOA core residency program leading to board eligibility or certification.
Full proficiency in spoken and written English.
Ability to pass a pre-employment physical examination and a drug screening test.
Compliance with the federal seasonal influenza vaccination mandate (or a formally approved medical/religious exemption).
Satisfactory completion of a background and security investigation.

Preferred Qualifications for Physician - Pain Management

Active board certification in Pain Medicine or a related subspecialty.
Demonstrated clinical experience collaborating within an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary pain management team.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive annual salary range of $250,000 to $350,000 with regular longevity and cost-of-living adjustments.
✓Eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), offering up to $200,000 in tax-free student loan reimbursement (subject to program office approval).
✓Generous paid time off consisting of 26 annual leave days, 13 sick days, and 11 paid federal holidays annually.
✓Up to 5 days of paid administrative leave for Continuing Medical Education (CME) and potential reimbursement of up to $1,000 per year.
✓Comprehensive Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension plan with vesting after just 5 years of service.
✓Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) matching contributions up to 5% of your annual salary.
✓Access to high-quality federal health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance programs.
✓Complete malpractice coverage with federal liability protection and tail coverage included.
✓Freedom from restrictive covenants, non-compete agreements, and complex clinical billing metrics.

💡 How to Apply Physician - Pain Management Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Physician - Pain Management Job

Navigate to the USAJOBS portal and log in or establish a new candidate profile.
Locate the job announcement using vacancy ID 'CBTA-12972465-26-DSM'.
Download the mandatory, standardized single-page Clinical Resume Document from the official VA Careers portal.
Upload the unmodified, completed single-page template into the restricted 'Resume' document field on USAJOBS.
Upload your comprehensive, multi-page CV or detailed resume into the 'Other' document upload field to ensure complete review of all your academic and clinical qualifications.
Upload supporting documentation, such as active licenses, board certifications, and DD-214 forms (if claiming Veterans' Preference).
Complete the online occupational questionnaire and submit your formal application package prior to the September 30, 2026, closing deadline.

💡 General Tips

Ensure your primary clinical CV is uploaded to the 'Other' section, as the 'Resume' section is specifically restricted to the official single-page Clinical Resume template used for automated HR parsing.
Document all forms of medical training, including fellowships, residencies, and internships, with clear start and end dates to maximize your starting salary determination during the formal pay-setting committee review.
If you seek to leverage your military service record, verify that your uploaded DD-214 clearly highlights your honorable discharge status and character of service.
Keep in mind that you must onboard by July 30, 2026, to secure eligibility for the high-value Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is relocation assistance available for this position?

No, recruitment incentives or relocation reimbursements are not authorized for this particular pain management physician vacancy.

What is the daily schedule and on-call expectation?

The primary hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The role also includes rotating clinical on-call coverage for emergency consultative services.

Can a non-citizen apply for this federal physician job?

Yes, non-citizens may be considered and appointed under VA policy, but only when there are no fully qualified U.S. citizens available to fill the vacancy.

How does the student loan repayment program operate?

This position is EDRP-authorized. Eligible candidates can submit an application within four months of their official start date to receive up to $200,000 in student loan reimbursement paid over a one- to five-year timeline.

Do I need a Virginia medical license to practice at the Salem VA?

No. As a federal practitioner within the VHA system, you can practice in Salem, Virginia, with an active, unrestricted medical license from any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.

What is the clinical work culture like at the Salem VA Medical Center?

The culture emphasizes a "Whole Health" approach. This means you will collaborate closely with physical therapists, clinical pharmacists, and mental health teams to provide comprehensive, integrated pain care, free from the pressure of driving procedural volume for corporate profit.

Are there restrictions on moonlighting if I take this job?

Unlike private-practice contracts, the federal physician agreement does not contain restrictive non-compete clauses. While your primary commitment must remain with the VA, there are no significant restrictions on clinical moonlighting, provided it does not conflict with your core work schedule or create a professional conflict of interest. ---