§ 7404. Grades and pay scales
(a)
The annual rates or ranges of rates of basic pay for positions provided in section
7306 of this title shall be prescribed from time to time by Executive order as authorized by chapter
53 of title
5 or as otherwise authorized by law. The pay of physicians and dentists serving in positions to which an Executive order applies under the preceding sentence shall be determined under subchapter III of this chapter instead of such Executive order.
(b)
The grades for positions provided for in paragraph (1) of section
7401 of this title shall be as follows. The annual ranges of rates of basic pay for those grades shall be prescribed from time to time by Executive order as authorized by chapter
53 of title
5 or as otherwise authorized by law:
physician and dentist schedule
Physician grade.
Dentist grade.
nurse schedule
Nurse V.
Nurse IV.
Nurse III.
Nurse II.
Nurse I.
clinical podiatrist, chiropractor, and optometrist schedule
Chief grade.
Senior grade.
Intermediate grade.
Full grade.
Associate grade.
(c)
Notwithstanding the provisions of section
7425
(a) of this title, a person appointed under section
7306 of this title who is not eligible for pay under subchapter III shall be deemed to be a career appointee for the purposes of sections
4507 and
5384 of title
5.
(d)
Except as provided under subsection (e), subchapter III, and section
7457 of this title, pay for positions for which basic pay is paid under this section may not be paid at a rate in excess of the rate of basic pay authorized by section
5316 of title
5 for positions in Level V of the Executive Schedule.
(e)
The position of Chief Nursing Officer, Office of Nursing Services, shall be exempt from the provisions of section
7451 of this title and shall be paid at a rate determined by the Secretary, not to exceed the maximum rate established for the Senior Executive Service under section
5382 of title
5.