Become a Leader in Veteran Care: Section Chief of Neurology at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking a skilled, dedicated, and visionary medical leader to step into the role of Section Chief of Neurology at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Fayetteville, North Carolina. This prestigious clinical leadership position offers an unparalleled opportunity to guide a critical medical section while delivering world-class, specialized neurological care to our nation's Veterans.

As the Section Chief, you will find yourself at the intersection of executive administration and advanced hands-on clinical medicine. With a balanced work schedule, exceptional federal benefits, free malpractice coverage, and extensive financial incentives, this role is designed for a physician who is passionate about public service, clinical excellence, and leading teams toward successful healthcare outcomes.

About the Agency: The Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, providing comprehensive care to over 9 million enrolled Veterans across the country. Operating under the Department of Veterans Affairs, the VHA’s primary mission is rooted in President Abraham Lincoln's solemn promise: "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors."

Practicing within the VHA offers physicians a unique and deeply rewarding environment. Unlike private sector medical organizations, the VHA prioritizes patient-centered, preventive, and holistic health over insurance-driven metrics. Physicians have the freedom to design, execute, and oversee treatment plans based entirely on clinical necessity and patient well-being, free from the administrative burdens of private insurance approvals.

The Fayetteville VAMC belongs to the Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), a dynamic network dedicated to optimizing health outcomes through clinical innovation, safety, and operational efficiency. Located in a region with one of the most concentrated military and Veteran populations in the country, the Fayetteville VAMC serves as a critical anchor of hope and healing.

Job Responsibilities

The Section Chief of Neurology is a hybrid role that demands both clinical brilliance and strategic administrative capability. The position is structured to allow the incumbent to remain highly active in patient care while directing the overarching policies and operations of the neurology section.

Clinical Duties (80% of Time)

Expert Consultations: Provide advanced diagnostic evaluation and treatment recommendations for complex neurological cases in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Comprehensive Care: Manage patient care across the medical center, including dedicated neurology clinics, specialized clinical procedures, and acute consultations for surgical, critical care, and general inpatient wards.
Compassionate Delivery: Deliver patient care that is safe, effective, culturally competent, and centered around promoting long-term neurological health and treating acute, critical illnesses.
Care Coordination: Collaborate closely with referring primary care providers, hospitalists, surgeons, and other specialists to ensure seamless, longitudinal treatment planning.

Administrative & Leadership Duties (20% of Time)

Section Governance: Serve as the chief administrator for the Neurology Section within the Medicine Service Line, ensuring full compliance with VHA guidelines, Joint Commission standards, and Inspector General regulations.
Staff Management: Direct work schedules, handle clinical resource allocation, and manage coverage structures—including consistent, reliable on-call scheduling.
Quality Improvement (QI): Spearhead ongoing clinical quality improvement projects, analyzing clinical outcomes, monitoring patient safety protocols, and helping prepare institutional briefs regarding adverse events.
Productivity & Performance: Review clinic productivity measures, operational efficiency, and regional performance benchmarks to implement strategic system redesigns as needed.

Salary and Compensation Overview

The VA provides a highly competitive pay structure designed to attract top-tier medical talent. The salary range for the Section Chief of Neurology is $300,000 to $335,000 per year.

Your precise starting salary within this range is determined through a formal, standardized pay-setting process conducted by the Professional Standards Board. This board evaluates your unique medical experience, board certifications, specialized skills, and academic achievements. Beyond the competitive base pay, physicians are eligible for annual performance bonuses, regular federal salary cost-of-living adjustments, and career advancement increases.

Comparison: VA Physician vs. Private Practice

When evaluating this opportunity, it is helpful to look at how a federal career at the VA compares to standard private practice models:

Benefit / Feature	VA Section Chief of Neurology	Private Practice Standard
Annual Salary Range	$300,000 - $335,000	Variable; highly dependent on billing
Malpractice Protection	Free federal liability protection (including tail coverage)	Expensive annual premiums & separate tail policies
Contract Restrictions	No restrictive employment contracts; moonlighting allowed	Strict non-compete clauses & regional restrictions
Student Loan Repayment	Up to $200,000 tax-free via EDRP	Rarely offered; often taxable if provided
Paid Time Off (Annual)	50 to 55 days of paid leave	Average of 15 to 25 days
Pension & Retirement	Traditional federal pension + 401(k) with 5% match	Solo 401(k) or basic corporate match

Requirements for the Role

To be considered for this high-level leadership post, candidates must satisfy both the basic federal requirements and the specialized medical qualifications outlined below:

Citizenship: Candidates must be United States citizens. Non-citizens will only be considered in the rare event that no qualified U.S. citizens can be recruited.
Education: Possession of an M.D. or D.O. degree, or an equivalent medical degree, from an institution accredited by the LCME, COCA, or recognized by the ECFMG for foreign graduates.
Licensure: Hold an active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Residency Training: Completion of an approved residency training program in neurology accredited by the ACGME or AOA, or an approved equivalent international training program followed by verified independent practice.
Board Certification: Active Board Certification in Neurology is mandatory.
Language Proficiency: Must be fully proficient in written and spoken English.
Physical Capability: Ability to perform all duties without restriction. This active clinical role may require standing, walking, bending, light lifting, and navigating stairs.
Pre-Employment Checks: All selected candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment physical exam, background/suitability investigation, credentialing review, and drug screening.
Vaccination Program: Active participation in the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program is a condition of employment for all VHA health care personnel.
Probationary Period: Must successfully serve a two-year clinical and leadership probationary period.

Premier Benefits and Perks

The VA’s total rewards package is widely considered one of the most robust in the medical field. Key benefits for the Section Chief of Neurology include:

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Highly qualified candidates may be authorized for this specialized program, which provides tax-free reimbursements for qualifying student loans of up to $200,000 over a period of one to five years.
Incentive Bonuses: Both recruitment (sign-on) and relocation incentives are available for eligible, highly qualified applicants.
Exceptional Paid Time Off: Receive 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays each year, plus up to 5 days of paid administrative leave to fulfill CME requirements.
CME Reimbursement: Eligible full-time, board-certified physicians may receive up to $1,000 annually in reimbursement for continuing medical education costs.
Retirement Security: Benefit from the three-tiered Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which includes a traditional defined-benefit pension (vested after 5 years) and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching contributions.
Flexible Health Insurance: Choose from a wide variety of federal health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance plans, many of which can be carried into retirement.

Application Tips & Standardized Resume Guide

Applying for a federal medical role is slightly different than applying in the private sector. Follow these strategies to ensure your application package bypasses automated screening blocks and lands on the hiring manager's desk:

The Crucial Resume Workaround: This medical officer series utilizes a strict automated portal that restricts the 'Resume' upload field to two pages. However, a comprehensive medical CV is typically much longer. To resolve this, download the standard 1-page Clinical Resume Document from the VA Careers website. Upload this simple, unedited 1-page template into the 'Resume' slot. Then, upload your full, unrestricted, multi-page CV into the 'Other' document field. This guarantees your complete clinical background is fully visible to reviewers.
Quantify Your Leadership Experience: Do not just list your clinical duties. Be sure to highlight your administrative successes, such as managing clinical schedules, driving process improvements, chairing medical committees, or overseeing quality assurance metrics.
Submit Early: This is an Open Continuous Announcement with a final closing date of September 30, 2026. However, qualified applicants are referred to the hiring manager on a weekly basis. If the position is filled early, the posting may close without warning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I apply if I am currently completing my residency?

Yes. Residents who are currently enrolled in ACGME or AOA accredited training programs and meet all other basic requirements may apply. They may be tentatively selected but must meet all licensing and certification requirements before officially entering on duty.

Q2: How does the EDRP loan repayment program work?

Once appointed, you must apply for EDRP within four months of your start date. The VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office will review your application, verify your student loan details, and determine your final tax-free reimbursement award (up to $200,000 over 1 to 5 years).

Q3: Is telework an option for the Section Chief of Neurology?

No, this is an on-site, clinical leadership position located at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center. Telework is not authorized for this role.

Q4: Does the VA require a specific state medical license?

No. You can hold an active, unrestricted medical license from any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. You do not need to obtain a North Carolina state license to practice at this federal medical facility.

Taking on the role of Section Chief of Neurology at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center is more than a career move—it is an opportunity to lead, innovate, and serve. By combining clinical leadership with direct patient care, you will shape the future of neurological services for Veterans in North Carolina. Combined with a competitive salary of up to $335,000, exceptional retirement plans, generous paid time off, and substantial student loan assistance, this position represents one of the premier medical careers available today. Take the next step in your professional journey and apply for this rewarding federal position today.

Why This Section Chief Of Neurology Job Matters

Elevate your clinical leadership career and make a profound difference in the lives of our nation's heroes as the Section Chief of Neurology at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center.

Section Chief Of Neurology Job Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking an exceptional, Board-Certified Neurologist to step into a high-impact leadership role at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center in North Carolina. As the Section Chief of Neurology, you will lead a dedicated clinical team, manage administrative operations, and provide world-class clinical care to Veterans. This position offers a highly competitive compensation package ($300,000 - $335,000), substantial recruitment incentives, and up to $200,000 in tax-free student loan repayment.

Requirements for Section Chief Of Neurology

United States Citizenship (non-citizens may only be appointed when qualified citizens are unavailable).
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from an accredited institution.
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.
Successful completion of an accredited residency program in Neurology.
Active Board Certification in Neurology is required.
Proficiency in both written and spoken English.
Pass a pre-employment physical examination and drug screening.
Compliance with the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Serve a mandatory two-year probationary period.

Preferred Qualifications for Section Chief Of Neurology

Proven supervisory or leadership experience in a clinical setting.
Strong background in medical program management and Quality Improvement (QI) processes.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive base salary ranging from $300,000 to $335,000 per year with regular increases.
✓Annual performance bonus opportunities.
✓Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) offering up to $200,000 in student loan reimbursement.
✓Sign-on recruitment incentive and relocation incentives available for eligible candidates.
✓Generous paid time off package: 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays annually.
✓Up to 5 days of paid absence to attend Continuing Medical Education (CME) events.
✓Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) traditional pension (5-year vesting) and Thrift Savings Plan (401k) with up to 5% agency matching.
✓Comprehensive Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance.
✓Full federal malpractice protection with tail coverage provided at no cost.
✓No binding employment contracts and minimal restrictions on approved moonlighting activities.

💡 How to Apply Section Chief Of Neurology Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Section Chief Of Neurology Job

Click the Apply Online link to access the USAJobs platform.
Log in or create an account, then select your USAJobs resume and required supporting documents.
Download the standardized 1-page Clinical Resume Document from the VA Careers portal.
Upload the completed 1-page clinical template into the restricted 'Resume' upload field.
Upload your comprehensive, unrestricted CV or multi-page resume into the 'Other' document field.
Complete the occupational online questionnaire and submit your complete application before 11:59 PM EST on September 30, 2026.

💡 General Tips

The 2-page resume limit does not apply to this medical officer series, but you MUST upload the official 1-page clinical template in the 'Resume' section and your detailed CV in the 'Other' section to prevent system-based disqualifications.
Ensure your CV clearly highlights any past supervisory, program development, scheduling, or quality improvement initiatives you have spearheaded.
Reach out to Cheryl Lahair ([email protected]), the local EDRP Coordinator, immediately upon tentative selection to expedite your $200,000 student loan repayment application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the clinical-to-administrative balance for this position?

The position is structured as 80% clinical care (consultations, outpatient/inpatient neurology, and clinical procedures) and 20% administrative duties (leadership, scheduling, staff meetings, and quality improvement oversight).

Are relocation expenses covered?

Yes, relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates who meet the eligibility requirements.

Do I need a North Carolina medical license to practice at this facility?

No. Because this is a federal facility, you can practice with an active, full, and unrestricted medical license from any U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth.

What is the deadline to apply for this position?

This is an open continuous announcement closing on September 30, 2026. Applications are reviewed and referred to the hiring manager on a weekly basis, so early application is highly encouraged.