The Physician serves as a staff Psychiatrist for the Mental Health Clinic (MHC) also referred to as the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) at the American Lake Division of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Tacoma, WA. The psychiatrist's primary duties involve treating Veterans with a wide range of mental health disorders.
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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Sitting long periods of time.
Duties include but are not limited to: Providing services through various treatment modalities, such as in-person visits (individual, group, medication groups, etc.), video teleconferencing technology to distance clinic sites and/or to Veterans in their homes, telephone visits, secure email messaging, and other tele-mental health technologies. Working effectively with other disciplines and having strong communication and/or team building skills. Engaging in leadership and quality improvement activities supporting the function of medical services in the outpatient arenas. Providing comprehensive psychiatric assessment and diagnostic services for Veterans with a broad range of psychopathology receiving care within the Mental Health Clinic, including services for patients with complex psychopathology requiring advanced diagnostic and intervention skills. Providing education to patients and family members regarding mental disorders and best practices approaches to treatment. Providing comprehensive assessment of Veterans at imminent risk of harm to self and/or others (including grave disability),and facilitating admission for acute psychiatric hospitalization. Providing evidence-based pharmacotherapy for an assigned panel of patients, with evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions as indicated and appropriate. Ordering, monitoring, and responding to all necessary laboratory and radiological assessments. Initiating appropriate health care consults and referrals, as indicated. Providing consultation to health care providers about assessment findings and treatment plan for patients to ensure that care is coordinated, collaborative, and integrated within the Medical Center. Developing, implementing, and documenting the mental health treatment plan for an assigned caseload of patients, as indicated and appropriate for the specific job setting and duties of the physician. Providing consultation services to Geriatrics and Extended Care, and the Vet Centers; providing Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) treatment to Veterans. Attending and participating in administrative and informational meetings held by the Psychiatry Chief/Deputy Chief, Service Line Leader (or designee), Chief of Staff, and/or Facility Director. Attending scheduled Psychiatry Service Staff Meetings; and participates in the Psychiatry Service biannual competency review process (OPPE and FPPE), periodically serving on the Psychiatry Service Clinical Pertinence Review Committee. Protecting printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with provisions of Federal privacy acts and confidentiality statutes. Following regulations and instructions regarding release of sensitive or protected patient or employee information. 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 EDRP 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. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM. Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized depending service needs. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual or remote position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized to highly qualified applicants. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. 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 VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.