Summary

The incumbent serves as a Staff Neurologist and is responsible for providing comprehensive neurological evaluation - diagnosis - consultation - treatment - and follow-up care to Veterans receiving care through the Fargo VA Health Care System. Services are provided in outpatient - inpatient - telehealth - and consultative settings. The physician functions as an integral member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team and supports VA goals related to access - quality - patient safety - education.

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 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
• (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) 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 (2) 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 (3) 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
• Preferred Experience: Successful completion of an accredited Neurology Residency Program
• Board Certified or Board Eligible in Neurology
• Experience with EEG - EMG/NCS - botulinum toxin therapy - and advanced neurological diagnostics
• Telehealth experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Clinical Practice 1
• Provides comprehensive neurological assessment - diagnosis - treatment planning - and ongoing management of patients with neurologic disorders
• 2
• Evaluates and manages conditions including - but not limited to: o Stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) o Epilepsy and seizure disorders o Movement disorders o Multiple sclerosis o Neuromuscular disorders o Peripheral neuropathies o Headache disorders o Cognitive and memory disorders o Spine-related neurological conditions 3
• Conducts new patient consultations and follow-up visits in the outpatient setting
• 4
• Provides inpatient consultation services and collaborates with hospital medicine - emergency medicine - surgery - rehabilitation medicine - and intensive care staff
• 5
• Participates in evaluation and management of acute neurological emergencies including stroke - status epilepticus - acute weakness - and other urgent neurological conditions
• Diagnostic and Procedural Responsibilities 1
• Performs and interprets electroencephalograms (EEGs) when credentialed and privileged
• 2
• Performs and interprets electromyography and nerve conduction studies (EMG/NCS) when credentialed and privileged
• 3
• Performs lumbar punctures and other approved procedures consistent with approved clinical privileges
• 4
• Administers botulinum toxin therapy for approved neurological indications - including movement disorders and chronic migraine management
• 5
• Reviews and interprets neurological imaging studies in collaboration with Radiology Services 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 Recruitment incentive: Approved for highly qualified applicants Work Schedule: TBD- per discussion during interview- 8-430 or 730-4pm On-Call Responsibilities 1
• Participates in call coverage as assigned
• 2
• Provides consultation and clinical guidance during assigned call periods
• 3
• Ensures appropriate patient handoff and continuity of care.