Neurologist

Summary

Education and length of practice are considered through a formal pay-setting process to determine the final compensable salary (Base Pay + Market Pay).

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements 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.
• 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 one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed.
• 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 accrediting bodies for graduate medical education—the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA)—in the list published for the year the residency—or fellowship if applicable—was completed.
• OR (2) One‑year of post‑medical‑school training (internship—the first year of residency—or transitional‑year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post‑training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States.
• OR (3) Non‑US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement)―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.
• Exceptions: 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 basis.
• PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged.
• 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.
• In rare and unusual circumstances, the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer—who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience—accomplishments—performance— and qualifications warrant such action.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred Experience: Completion of Neurology Residency and Board Certification.
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity—keen hearing, clear—distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The position requires potentially long periods of continued sitting, telephone and computer usage, walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring of equipment/objects may be required.

Responsibilities

• Duties include providing administrative and management functions related to neurological care.
• Providing services as a full‑time Neurologist assigned to the Acute Care and Specialties Service Line at the Central Alabama VA Medical Center.
• May reside at one of the main campuses located in Montgomery—AL/Tuskegee—AL—or at outlying CBOCs located at Fort Benning—GA, Columbus—GA, and Fort Rucker—AL.
• Treating peripheral nerve disease, which may result in loss of muscle function, loss of tactile perception, loss of sensitivity to pain or temperature, and even speech or eyesight impairment.
• Starting the investigation of a particular patient by performing a neurological exam, which involves the assessment of basic brain function and an individual evaluation of each peripheral nerve group.
• Encountering patients who suffer from seizures, have lost their ability to move their limbs, or have severe speech impairment—gaining a basic understanding of the location of the problem within the nervous system.
• In some cases, identifying the cause and the location of the affected region based on clinical examination only.
• Recognizing small symptoms and details to treat the disease in its incipient stages and save the patient's life.
• Work Schedule: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Compensation & Benefits

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package that includes a competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases. Employees receive approximately 50–55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, and up to 5 days for CME). Retirement benefits consist of a traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution. Insurance coverage includes federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care plans, many of which can be carried into retirement.

Licensure: One full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory. CME reimbursement: Up to $1,000 per year (must be full‑time with board certification). Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage. Employment contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Recruitment and Relocation Incentives: Authorized relocation assistance, authorized permanent change of station, and other sign‑on bonuses may be available subject to approval. EDRP: Participants who have previously been authorized are not eligible for incentive. For questions regarding the EDRP, contact View email address on click.appcast.io.