Physician (Neurology)

Summary

Summary: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center (Vero Beach) is seeking a Physician (Neurology) to manage all aspects of a general Neurology program in the Northern Catchment Area (Vero Beach/Port Saint Lucie) under the Chief of Staff and the Medicine Service Line.

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Duties

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. Eligible applicants will be referred until all vacancies are filled.

• Provide neurologic evaluation and treatment of Veterans with compassion on both an inpatient and outpatient basis along with education and counseling of Veterans and their families on medical conditions/treatments.
• Participate in and/or manage all aspects of a general Neurology program, including clinical, administrative, academic, and research components if warranted.
• Manage patient workload within available staffing, which may include support of physician assistants or nurse practitioners.
• Perform usual administrative components of patient care management: documentation of progress notes and consultation findings in an electronic medical record, dictation and electronic signature of OP reports and hospital discharge summaries, electronic entry and signature of all doctor’s orders for inpatients and outpatients, etc.
• Provide clinical consultation to West Palm Beach VA clinical staff both within and outside of the Medicine Service Line. Patient caseload may be inpatient, outpatient, or both. Neurologists examine patients suffering from neurological disorders, treatment-resistant headache disorders such as seizure disorders, Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease.
• Work with primary care physicians on a consulting basis when a patient has symptoms that suggest a neurological issue.
• Conduct examinations for neurological patients, including tests of cranial nerve function, cognitive status, motor skills and sensory system.
• Occasionally supervise medical students, physician residents, or physician fellows.

Work Schedule

Monday‑Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs.)

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 up to 5 days paid absence for CME).
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contribution by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life and long-term care insurance (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
• Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement for CME (must be full‑time with board certification).
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (non‑citizens may be appointed only when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy).
• All applicants selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Selective Service Registration required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Must pass pre‑employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for all VA health care personnel.
• Probationary period may be required.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the “Required Documents” section of this announcement.

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.

Basic Requirements

• United States citizenship (non‑citizens may be appointed only 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 obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the degree was granted.
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, or Commonwealth, or 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 include those approved by ACGME or AOA; one year of post‑medical‑school training followed by two years of independent practice; or non‑U.S. residency training followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice.)
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Additional Requirements

• BLS certification is required.

Physical Requirements

Must pass a pre‑employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019. The position requires light to moderate lifting (15–44 lbs), light carrying (≤15 lbs), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, walking (up to 2 hours), standing (up to 2 hours), kneeling (up to 1 hour), rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13″–16″, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic and shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted), emotional and mental stability, ability to work closely with others and independently.

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 degree was granted.

Additional Information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

The position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health‑related positions in VA are covered by Title 38 and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.