Medical Director of Substance Abuse Services

Summary

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) and 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 are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy.
• Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from a school approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year the course of study was completed.
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Residency Training: Physicians must have completed an accredited core specialty training program approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, leading to eligibility for board certification.
• For those with non-U.S. residency training: a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States under a full and unrestricted license performing duties related to the position, with U.S. fellowships considered creditable.
• PRPs: Residents currently enrolled in an ACGME/AOA accredited residency that otherwise meets the basic requirements may be appointed as Physician Resident Providers on an intermittent basis. PRPs must be fully licensed physicians and are not considered independent practitioners.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred Experience: Addiction Psychiatry Board Certified.
• Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Medical Director of Substance Abuse Services provides clinical leadership and medical oversight of facility programs treating Veterans with substance use disorders.
• Ensures delivery of evidence-based addiction treatment services consistent with VA policy, national clinical practice guidelines, and applicable federal and state regulatory standards.
• Provides direct psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of Veterans with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.
• Assesses complex psychiatric and medical presentations, develops comprehensive treatment plans, and implements pharmacologic and psychosocial treatment interventions.
• Provides medical oversight of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including prescribing and managing medications such as buprenorphine, methadone (in OTP settings), and naltrexone, ensuring adherence to federal regulatory requirements and VA clinical guidance.
• Monitors treatment outcomes, medication safety, and clinical quality indicators.
• Provides clinical supervision and consultation to an interdisciplinary team that may include physicians, psychologists, nurses, pharmacists, and addiction counselors.
• Offers case consultation and treatment planning guidance, ensuring adherence to evidence-based addiction treatment practices.
• Develops and implements program policies and procedures, monitors program performance, ensures regulatory and accreditation compliance, and participates in quality improvement initiatives.
• Collaborates with facility leadership and other clinical services to ensure integrated care for Veterans with complex behavioral health and medical needs.
• Participates in educational activities, including supervision and teaching of psychiatry residents, psychology trainees, and other learners as applicable.
• Participates in facility and service-level committees, contributes to program planning, clinical policy development, and initiatives aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of addiction treatment services.
• May participate in routine service responsibilities within the Psychiatry or Mental Health Service Line, including general clinical coverage and on-call schedules as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• Paid Time Off: 50–55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, and up to 5 days for CME).
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
• Full and unrestricted license from any U.S. State or territory.
• CME reimbursement up to $1,000 per year (must be full-time with board certification).
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage provided.
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.
• Full-time work schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.