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 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 ineligible to apply. The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center serves as the primary health care provider for more than 151,000 Veterans in southeast Texas. Houston exudes a cosmopolitan and down-home vibe together that lets the residents of the country's fourth-largest city and third-largest county (Harris) know that there's no place quite like Houston. The city attracts visitors and transplants with a wonderful mix of world class arts, booming business, pro sports and award-winning cuisine. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized for highly qualified applicants. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Sharon Rogers(sharon.rogers@va.gov) the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 General areas of responsibility include. The primary role of this physician will be to cover the Multiple Sclerosis(MS) clinic to include: (1) the care of adult patients with MS and other associated Neurological disorders, and (2) teaching residents, fellows, and medical students. In addition, this physician is expected to be part of an interdisciplinary team consisting of physicians from Neurology, Rehab, SCI, along with support staff from PT/OT/Speech/social work. Physician will lead the Houston MS Regional Program and will be working with the MS Center of Excellence and National Neurology Program office in ensuring smooth operations of the Houston MS program. Professional Duties of Staff Neurologist: This physician is expected to be on the Ward and/or Consult services in two-week or four-week blocks. Duties include, but are not limited to: Assess the needs and plan intervention for individuals/families Facilitate the delivery of care expected from an MS subspecialist and a general Neurologist Perform initial histories and physical examinations Screen outpatients to determine the need for further Neurological Care Order diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests, CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, EEGs, EMGs and other electrodiagnostic tests Perform and supervise Lumbar Punctures Exercise medical decision-making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services Exhibit leadership in initiating changes in patient care programs based on current concepts and findings from research and/or studies Direct involvement in patient care, patient and family teaching, staff education and multidisciplinary consultations and collaborations Participate in education of PA students, NPs, Fellows, Residents, and medical students and supervise mid-level practitioners as assigned Consistently demonstrate expertise in diagnosing and treating seriously ill multi-symptomatic patients Serve as a resource person for standards development Initiate and expedite requests for consultations and scheduling special tests and studies Provide education and counseling of patients and families in neurological conditions, and use of prescribed treatments and drugs; and other duties as assigned. Be proficient in other components of patient management such as charting, progress notes, signatures, preparation of consults, referrals, telephone consults with specialists at the Medical Center that are an integral part of the clinical team. Integrate both mandated health screening and guidelines for treatment into the practice. Basic computer proficiency and willingness to learn VA's EMR. Complete clinic progress notes on the same day or within 24 hours of seeing a patient. Timely sign progress notes of patients seen by trainees Perform other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. The physician will be rounding with the ward and consultation teams every day as assigned to these services. During the Ward or consultation service, physician will be on call from 4:30 P.M. to 8:00 AM on weekdays, and from 4:30 P.M. on Fridays through 8:00 A.M. on Monday. The physician will cover both services on weekends. 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 tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.