Neurology Job at Defense Health Agency Medical Civilian Corps in Hawaii

MAJOR DUTIES: 1. Serves as a physician specialized in neurological practice in the Neurology Clinic and as Neurology consultant to the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The incumbent is responsible for the examination, diagnosis and treatment of the full range of outpatients seen in the clinics. The preponderance of the clinical services provided will be focused on evaluation and management of a wide range of neurologic disorders and diseases with a focus on return to military duty. Incumbent will also be required to serve as neurology consultant for the TBI Clinic. a. In the outpatient clinic, and as neurology consultant (ward, ICU, step down unit, recovery room, emergency department, outlying clinics, etc.) the incumbent performs a wide range of medical duties covering all aspects of disorders involving Neurology. Many patients with neurologic disorders might have multiple overlapping problems such as neurologic complications of system disorders, trauma to the nervous system, vascular disorders of the nervous system, tumors involving or affecting the nervous system, infections of the nervous system, demyelinating disorders, ischemic injury to the nervous system, metabolic derangements affecting the nervous system, dementia, movement disorders, sleep disorders, seizures, headaches, neuromuscular or other degenerative disorders. Examines patients, orders and evaluates the full range of tests to include electrophysiology, radiological and laboratory tests, makes diagnosis and prescribes appropriate treatments to include drugs, or behavioral modalities. If hospital admission for a neurologic disease/disorder is deemed necessary, the incumbent acts solely as neurology consultant without direct admission privileges to the hospital (admission orders is the responsibility of the appropriate inpatient department). Makes referrals to the appropriate clinic. Communicates with patients, referring physicians and back to the appropriate primary care manager for management of disorders outside the specialty of Neurology. Provides prescription renewal, telephone and e-mail (through Relay Health) consultative services. b. Assists with on-call coverage. Call coverage consists of acting as neurology consultant for Emergency Department, inpatient/Ward teams (Pediatric, OB/GYN, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, etc.), outlying clinics and for phone consultation to other providers in the TRICARE referral region concerning patients with neurological problems. Daytime call coverage will be from 0730-1630; the last scheduled outpatient clinic appointment will be at 1330 for the on call neurologist allowing them time to evaluate inpatient consultations. If the on call neurologist has scheduled clinic patients and emergent neurology evaluation is necessary, the on call neurologist will attend to the emergent patient first. Scheduled outpatients will be informed in the timeliest manner possible by the medical support assistant (MSA) that their appointment may be delayed and they will be given an option to reschedule their appointment or wait. If the patient chooses to wait the on call neurologist will be required to see the outpatient as soon as possible after completing the initial consultation for the said emergency. If patient safety is a concern (i.e., in cases where there may be more than one emergent neurology consultation requested), the on call neurologist may request to have outpatients rescheduled; this remains at the discretion of the on call neurologist however access to care should not be delayed. Night (1630-0730) and weekend call coverage will be considered home call and consists of initial phone consultation followed by face/face patient evaluation if deemed necessary. Call coverage will alternate amongst neurology providers within the Neurology department. The call schedule will be flexible allowing the incumbent time to request preferred weekends/nights off; all requests for preferred weekends/nights off will be made no less than one week in advance (exceptions can be made). The outgoing on call neurologist will perform a clear sign out to the incoming on call neurologist for all consultations that would require ongoing neurology services. The on call neurologist should evaluate all consults in a timely manner; there rarely should be a case wherein the outgoing on call neurology consultant signs out a consultation request to the incoming on call neurologist for a patient who has not been evaluated. c. Provides recommendations or definitive evaluation for neurology problems in the referral region through phone consultation, telemedicine, and authorization and evaluation of air evacuation patients as appropriate. Provides recommendations through phone communication to other providers in the TRICARE referral region concerning patients with neurological problems. This includes probable diagnosis, evaluation recommendations, treatment options, and identification of those individuals requiring direct Neurology consultation. Neurology assessments are performed in the outpatient setting, as inpatient consultations (ward, ICU, step down unit, recovery room, etc.), and in the emergency department. Knowledge of the use of the electronic record, including retrieval of all forms of electronic data, is required. Evaluates and treats patients with multiple complicated problems who were screened and referred by the Emergency Department for urgent or emergent neurologic issues. Use of the electronic record for consult is required. 2. Supervises (clinically), teaches and provides consultation to other health care providers (nurse practitioners, physician assistants, medical students, interns, residents, and fellows). Provides chart review for quality assurance purposes in the area of neurology if requested on an occasional basis. Participates in established peer (other medical specialist) review process monthly. May provide clinical oversight/supervision and/or rating (performance) of clinical staff as determined by leadership. Additionally, performs clinical or laboratory research, and/or provides supervision to house staff performing research. Performs other duties as assigned.