Physician- Neurologist

Veterans Health Administration•Houston, TX

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is seeking a Physician to join its Neurology Care Line and provide comprehensive neurological care to eligible adult Veterans with conditions including stroke, epilepsy, neuromuscular diseases, headache, movement disorders, and cognitive disorders. The role includes general neurology and headache subspecialty care, clinical decision-making, diagnostic and therapeutic services, patient and family education, and collaboration with medical professionals. The physician will also contribute to multidisciplinary care, staff and trainee education, research initiatives, and administrative duties for the Headache Center of Excellence. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. The award may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years. A sign-on or recruitment/relocation incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified applicant. The position offers a competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases, federal retirement benefits, insurance options, paid time off, and possible CME reimbursement under the stated conditions. There is no physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with weekend coverage as needed. Applicants must meet VA citizenship, medical education, licensure, residency, and English proficiency requirements, along with other stated pre-employment conditions.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
A Doctor of Medicine degree or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved or accredited institution.
A 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 training program leading to eligibility for board certification, or an accepted alternative training and independent-practice pathway described in the announcement.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Satisfaction of applicable pre-employment requirements, including drug screening for testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, onboarding, and pre-employment physical evaluation.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA healthcare personnel.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
Applicants may be required to serve a probationary period.
Complete the application requirements listed in the announcement.
For EDRP consideration, meet the program's individual eligibility requirements and submit an application within four months of the start date.

Nice To Haves

Board eligible or board certified in Gastroenterology, as stated in the preferred experience section.

Responsibilities

Assess the needs of eligible adult patients and their families and plan interventions.
Deliver care as a headache subspecialist and general neurologist.
Order appropriate diagnostic studies, including laboratory tests, CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, EEGs, EMGs, and other electrodiagnostic tests.
Perform and supervise lumbar punctures, botulinum toxin injections, and nerve blocks.
Perform specialty-specific scales such as MMSE/MOCA, NPI, and GDS as appropriate.
Collaborate with medical and healthcare professionals to help patients and families achieve optimal health.
Exercise medical decision-making and provide diagnostic and therapeutic services for a specific patient group.
Initiate changes in patient care programs based on current concepts and research findings.
Provide direct patient care, patient and family teaching, staff education, and multidisciplinary consultation and collaboration.
Participate in the education of PA students, NPs, fellows, residents, and medical students.
Initiate specialty-specific research projects and support or participate in current research initiatives.
Contribute to Headache Center of Excellence administrative duties.
Cover weekends as needed.

Benefits

Education Debt Reduction Program reimbursement of up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and approval.
A recruitment or relocation incentive (sign-on bonus) may be authorized for a highly qualified applicant.
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.
Federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
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 CME reimbursement for full-time physicians with board certification.
Free liability protection with tail coverage.
No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.