Neurologist w/Recruitment-Relocation Incentive/EDRP

The Amarillo VA Health Care System is currently recruiting for a full time Physician (Neurologist) specializing in treating and managing neurological conditions of Veteran patients who are experiencing seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, migraines and much more.

A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be considered for a highly qualified candidate.
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

The Neurologist is responsible for treating and managing neurological conditions patients who are experience seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerative discorders, migraines, and much more.

Additional duties include:

• Conduct neurologic consultations and follow-up care to the patients at the Amarillo VA Health Care System.
• Work with primary care physicians on a consulting basis should a patient shows symptoms related to a neurological issue.
• Diagnose neurological disorders and order diagnostic tests such as blood tests and imaging tests to aid in identifying neurological disorders.
• Perform and evaluate the outcome of a Lumbar puncture, Tensilon test, and EEG.
• Develop treatment plan(s) for patient and their specific condition.
• Direct the activities of nurses and other medical technicians in the treatment of patients.
• Evaluate patient progress.
• Provide training to medical students or other staff members.
• Actively continue education by staying up to date in the field to provide patients with the best care.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized
Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
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 (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
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

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.
Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education: Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed.
• Licensure and Registration: Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are:
  1. Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR
  2. Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR
  3. Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences. Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e., not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee-basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather, they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs.
• Physical Requirements: See outlined below.
• English Language Proficiency. Physicians appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7402(d) and 7407(d).

Preferred Experience:

• Board Certified/Board Eligible in Neurology.
• 3 years or more of clinical practice.
• 5 year's experience in diagnosis and treatment of patient population with Neurological conditions.
• Experience with the administration of Botox injections, EMG's and TBI.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; light carrying, under 15 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (8hrs); Standing (8hrs); Repeated bending (2-4hrs); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental/ Emotional Stability; Ability to perform privileges Independently perform physical exam; Cognitive Stability.

Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are:

1. Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted, or
2. Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association for the year in which the degree was granted.
3. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, facility officials must verify with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) that the applicant has met requirements for certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. [If the applicant does not claim an ECFMG certificate, facility officials must still confirm that the medical school meets (or met) ECFMG eligibility requirements for the year the candidate graduated.]

NOTE: The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.