Physician - Neurologist

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

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.

• 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.
• Approved residencies are 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 one year of post medical school training (internship - 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 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
• The Central Iowa VA Health Care System is recruiting for a full-time Neurologist in Des Moines, IA.
• Duties include: Physician will provide consultation services and follow up of medical subspecialty patients - Neurology - in the inpatient and outpatient setting at the VA Medical Center in Des Moines or the affiliated CBOCs (Community Based Outpatient Clinics).
• Work hours will be determined at the time of hiring to include inpatient, outpatient clinic and call in many instances.
• Each full-time provider is required to work a minimum of 80 hours per pay period (every two weeks) unless on leave status.
• During the course of employment participation in special projects pertinent to assigned sub-specialty may be necessary as the projects become available with strategic or other initiatives.
• Examples of such projects may be infection control, antibiotic stewardship and other committees as needed.
• When working with inpatients provider is expected to participate in discharge planning and other interdisciplinary patient care plan activities.
• During this time information regarding patient status should be discussed with the hospitalists and other team members and ensure proper hand off at the end of the shift as necessary.
• Physicians may be assigned duty as a supervising or collaborating physician for a mid-level provider.
• Physicians are expected to provide clinical oversight and review.
• Supervising or collaborating responsibilities and performance will be noted in the physician's performance evaluation.
• Most providers will need to act as surrogates for the patients of their colleagues when one or more of their colleagues are on leave.
• Quality of care should be able to meet professional standards at all times.
• All physicians will work within their privileges at all times unless necessitated by an emergency.
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
• VHA Physician Total Rewards.
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more.
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
• Contact View email address on click.appcast.io - 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.
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm or 7:30am - 4:00pm.
• Additional information may be provided during an interview.