NEUROLOGIST (PHYSICIAN FT)

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.

Why Columbia, MO?

• Top 100 Best Places to Live
• 90+ parks and an extensive trail system, with access to the 237-mile Katy Trail
• Strong healthcare community and excellent schools
• Year‑round arts, music, and collegiate sports
• Easy access to St. Louis, Kansas City, and Lake of the Ozarks

At VA, you will find

• Mission‑driven practice
• Collaborative, supportive team
• Competitive pay and federal benefits
• Work‑life balance that actually exists

Duties

• Provision of neurologic evaluation and treatment of Veterans with compassion on both an inpatient and outpatient basis, along with the education and counseling of Veterans and their families on medical conditions and treatments.
• Providing clinical consultation to Harry S. Truman VAMC clinical staff. Patient caseload may be inpatient, outpatient, or both.
• Examining patients suffering from neurological disorders, treatment‑resistant headache disorders, such as seizure disorders, Parkinson’s disease, or Alzheimer’s disease.
• Working with primary care physicians on a consulting basis when a patient has symptoms that suggest a neurological issue.
• Performing examinations for neurological patients including tests of cranial nerve function, cognitive status, motor skills, and sensory system, and asking patients to perform activities.
• Interviewing, examining, selecting diagnostic testing appropriately, and interpreting/collating results to coordinate patient care.
• Communicating and documenting with clarity to patients and medical personnel to coordinate patient care.
• Sharing after‑hour call responsibilities with section physicians in rotation.
• Participating in quality assurance programs and chart reviews.
• Completing medical records in accordance with Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the Medical Staff.
• Participating in Medical Staff committee assignments.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy.
• All applicants will be subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Selective Service registration required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English required.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Must complete an online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification documents.
• Must pass a pre‑employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for all VA HCP.
• Probationary period may be required.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the “Required Documents” section of this announcement.

Qualifications

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).
• Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree from an approved school of medicine or osteopathic medicine.
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Residency training in an accredited core specialty program leading to eligibility for board certification, as approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Preferred Experience

• Board eligible or Board Certified preferred.

Physical Requirements

This position requires a pre‑employment physical. Requires lifting 15‑44 pounds; pushing (approx. 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers and both hands; walking and standing 3‑5 hours and kneeling. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Near vision correctable at 13–16 inches, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and in the other to 20/40. Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades. Hearing aid is permitted.

Education

Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathic medicine. For foreign medical graduates, verification with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is required.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases.
• 50‑55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays and possible 5 days paid absence for CME).
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care insurance (many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement).
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.
• Monday‑Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm schedule; occasional call expectations.

Legal and Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is an equal opportunity employer. The VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.