Physician -Assistant Service Chief of Neurology

Veterans Health Administration • Baltimore, MD

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About The Position

The Neurology Service is seeking an Assistant Service Chief to support the leadership, management, and strategic direction of a rapidly growing and highly complex clinical service. The position helps oversee Neurology operations, supports Centers of Excellence, and ensures timely access to high-quality neurological care for Veterans.

The Assistant Service Chief assumes full Service Chief responsibilities during the Service Chief’s absence. The position supports Neurology clinical and administrative operations, including consult coordination, clinic operations, staffing, performance improvement, and interdisciplinary team oversight. Clinical duties may include leading the General Neurology Section, managing the inpatient and outpatient consult service, or directing another subspecialty section, depending on expertise. The role also supports the Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, Pain, and Headache Centers of Excellence and provides mentorship and leadership development as part of succession planning.

The role participates in strategic planning, clinical program development, workload distribution, quality improvement, patient safety initiatives, and operational decision-making. It ensures compliance with Joint Commission standards and VHA policies related to quality, patient safety, peer review, credentialing and privileging, and clinical practice guidelines, while supporting High Reliability Organization principles. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an approved institution.
• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Completion of qualifying residency training in an accredited core specialty program leading to board-certification eligibility, or an approved alternative training and independent-practice pathway described in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Compliance with applicable background and security investigation requirements, drug testing for testing-designated positions, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Completion of the required VA application and onboarding requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Formal or informal administrative experience in a neurology service, including staff supervision, multidisciplinary team leadership, clinical operations, scheduling, workload management, recruiting, credentialing, or clinical productivity improvement.
• Experience collaborating with academic partners, especially in a university-affiliated environment.
• Graduate medical education experience, including teaching and mentoring residents, medical students, or fellows.
• Broad clinical competence across major neurologic subspecialties.
• Experience directing, overseeing, or participating in an inpatient neurology service.
• Scholarly or research activity, including peer-reviewed publications or presentations.
• A demonstrated commitment to quality improvement, patient safety, peer review, and evidence-based clinical protocols.
• Ability to act in place of a Chief, including coverage during absences and shared decision-making authority.
• Proficiency with electronic health record systems and willingness to champion technology-driven improvements.
• Experience serving on hospital or facility committees.
• Ability to work effectively with Veterans and understanding of the health needs and priorities of the Veteran population.
• Experience working at VA or another federal healthcare setting.
• Familiarity with VA policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assume full Service Chief responsibilities in the Service Chief’s absence, maintaining uninterrupted and compliant operational leadership.
• Support management of Neurology operations, including consult coordination, clinic operations, staffing, performance improvement, and interdisciplinary team oversight.
• Support and oversee the Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, Pain, and Headache Centers of Excellence, ensuring effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and alignment with VHA directives.
• Provide mentorship and leadership development for an internal candidate as part of succession planning.
• Perform clinical duties that may include leading the General Neurology Section, managing inpatient and outpatient consult services, or directing another subspecialty section, depending on expertise.
• Improve access to specialty care and reduce wait times by evaluating Veterans whose diagnoses align with the clinician’s subspecialty expertise.
• Participate in strategic planning, clinical program development, workload distribution, quality improvement, patient safety initiatives, and operational decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with Joint Commission standards and VHA policies on quality, patient safety, peer review, credentialing and privileging, and clinical practice guidelines.
• Support High Reliability Organization principles through leadership engagement, process improvement, and system optimization.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, and possible five-day paid CME absence.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 annual CME reimbursement for full-time physicians with board certification.
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility, subject to program requirements and approval, with awards up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree