This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
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 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 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), 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. 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 or fee-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. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Additional Requirement: Board Eligible in Psychiatry Preferred Experience: Board Certified Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; walking (3 hours per day); standing (6 hours per day); kneeling (2 hours per day); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted). See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Western New York Healthcare System is seeking a full-time Associate Chief of Staff of Mental Health Psychiatrist. The ACOS Psychiatrist is responsible for the oversight, management, and coordination of mental health services for our Veteran patient population for inpatient residential, Outpatient treatment, PTSD Treatment, Substance Use Disorder, Primary Care-Mental Integration, and Suicide Prevention. The focus is on providing comprehensive mental healthcare, improving access to care, ensuring quality of care, and promoting positive mental health outcomes. The ACOS Psychiatrist will serve as an integral part of the VA's efforts to provide integrated mental healthcare to Veterans and will manage the activities and planning associated with the following: Oversees, plans, organizes and directs the development of mental health programs and services. Establishes and follows a capabilities model to achieve goals for eligibility, referral and authorization, care coordination, and utilization management to ensure improved Veteran experience. Makes recommendations for the development of mental health programs based on data analysis and industry trends. Provides program oversight over the field assistance program by assessing core functions and identifying opportunities for improvement. Provides medical oversight, expertise, and leadership to the delivery of quality mental healthcare services. Responsible for daily operations and management by interfacing with other operational departments, internal and external customers, policies, and procedures. Participates in senior management business and clinical strategy development and implementation. Oversees a program that carries out the functions of performance and quality standards, while improving the Veteran's experience and outcomes. Defines mental health policies, utilization management process and procedures, financial and utilization reports made available to the appropriate stakeholders. Assumes responsibility for the overall quality of mental health services and for planning, developing, organizing, integrating, and directing programs, staff, and budget in support of organizational goals and commitments. Establishes care coordination guidelines to assure appropriate utilization of services, level of care, and documentation, assuring fiscal integrity. Provides oversight and direction over a variety of complex clinical and administrative programs from initiation and monitoring to implementation and maintenance. Responsible for a multi-disciplinary care team to provide consistent, cost-effective, quality mental healthcare. Identifies, manages, and mitigates risks of mental healthcare coordination efforts. Develop and implement process redesign and programmatic improvements. Serves on internal and external quality, provider, and quality management committees. Implements utilization management strategies and creates processes/business controls for approval and denial of mental healthcare authorizations. Ensure that veterans are provided mental healthcare that is accessible, convenient, and delivered promptly and are informed about care delivery options, including face-to-face care, as well as all available telehealth. Other duties as assigned. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@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 Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM