Lone Star Circle of Care is seeking a dedicated rheumatologist to establish specialty care servicing both our federally qualified health center (FQHC) patients and the broader community. The ideal candidate brings expertise in diagnosing and managing autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, including infusion therapies, while embracing a mission-driven, patient-centric approach to care.

Physicians are responsible for upholding the values and mission statement of LSCC and will conduct themselves as senior level, full time professional employees of the organization. Under the direction of the Medical Director, delivers primary care commensurate with training. Delivers care appropriate for an outpatient, primary care community health center with multicultural, multilingual patient population.

Daily Duties:

• Provide comprehensive outpatient rheumatology care to FQHC patients and community members, including the uninsured, those with Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial insurance.
• Contribute to the planning, launch, and operation of a rheumatology infusion clinic, ensuring safe, efficient, and equitable access to biologic therapies for patients. Work closely with clinical leadership to design protocols, ensure medication access, train staff, and implement safety procedures for an infusion center.
• Diagnose and treat autoimmune, inflammatory, and musculoskeletal diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, vasculitis, and other complex conditions.
• Develop and implement evidence-based treatment plans, incorporating medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications.
• Perform and interpret diagnostic tests, including lab work, imaging studies, and joint aspiration/injection procedures.
• Collaborate with primary care providers, specialists, and care teams to ensure seamless, multidisciplinary care for patients.
• Educate patients and families about their conditions, treatment options, and self-management strategies to empower them in their care.
• Contribute to care model innovation to expand access to rheumatologic care.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, clinical research, and population health strategies to address disparities in rheumatologic disease management.
• Complete medical charts in a timely manner after each visit in the electronic medical records system
• All other duties or responsibilities as assigned by Medical Director

Coaching/Training:

• May provide in-service trainings for staff in primary care management of rheumatologic conditions
• Occasionally participate in a high-quality educational experience for medical students, residents and other individuals in a training role

Operations:

• Provide quality medical care according to standards established by LSCC
• Assist and participates in internal quality control audits
• Supervises nurses, medical assistants and lab personnel in area of specific support services for patient care delivery
• Fulfill established guidelines set in place for provider encounter levels
• Actively monitor and engaged in hitting productivity, patient satisfaction, and clinical quality metrics
• Meet or exceed budgeted provider encounter targets
• Attend internal and external meetings, workshops, conferences, and participate on task forces or committees, when necessary and as required

Compliance:

• Perform all duties and services in full compliance with LSCC’s Quality Standards
• Achieve and maintain LSCC Core Clinical Competencies
• Apply for and sustain faculty appointment at Texas A&M University or other institutions as required
• Physician will maintain all credentialing and licensing per LSCC policy
• Physician will maintain MOC per ABIM/AOBIM guidelines and board certification while at LSCC.
• Perform required monthly peer audits, if required
• If supervising collaborating nurse practitioner(s)/physician assistant(s) in the specialty, have monthly meetings with these advanced practice providers
• Maintain competencies, LMS trainings, BLS (AHA) as current

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of medicine and specialty care (Rheumatology) commensurate with his/her
  • In-depth understanding of autoimmune, inflammatory, and musculoskeletal diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, vasculitis, gout, and spondyloarthropathies.
  • Familiarity with the latest clinical guidelines for rheumatology treatment, including DMARDs, biologics, and non-pharmacologic interventions.
  • Expertise in interpreting lab tests, imaging (X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds), and performing joint aspiration and injections.
  • Knowledge of long-term care strategies for managing rheumatologic conditions, including comorbidity management.
• Examines, diagnoses, treats and/or refers patients assigned to physician’s panel, on an out-patient basis. Treat and manage patients who present for care typically managed by a Rheumatologist. Prescribes pharmaceuticals, other medications, and treatment regimens as appropriate to assessed medical conditions.
• Generates and/or recommends medical protocols to govern the delivery of Rheumatology care (which can also include infusion therapy) throughout the Center that are consistent with standards of care. Utilizes quality improvement tools to develop processes that promote continuous improvement in delivery of patient care, patient outcomes or workflows.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, and English-speaking abilities
• Ability to deal effectively with patients, medical staff, administration and the public
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to recognize and understand the public health, social, and economic factors which impact the overall health of LSCC patients
• Ability to support LSCC mission and readily serve its patient population
• Maintain a professional manner and appearance that contributes to the professional image presented to individuals within and outside of LSCC
• Ability to work independently with a high level of self-motivation
• Ability to work in and support electronic health records environment