Physician - Psychiatrist - Psychiatric Services - Full-time - Recruitment Incentive/ EDRP Authorized (Manchester)

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Award amounts (up to $200,000) and eligibility periods (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position the Staff Psychiatrist physician must meet the basic requirements listed below and any additional requirements reflected in the job announcement. Applicants pending completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Current VA physicians who met the requirements under the previous 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
• Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree in medicine or osteopathic medicine from a school approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs
• Full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or District of Columbia
• Residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program leading to board certification
• Residency training approved by ACGME or AOA, or other residencies followed by a minimum of five years of verified U.S. practice, as deemed appropriate by the local Medical Staff Executive Committee
• Physician Resident Providers (PRPs) may be appointed as long as they are fully licensed and may only practice on an intermittent or fee‑basis. PRPs are not independent practitioners and will not be privileged.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred: 2‑3 years of post‑residency experience
• Prepared to provide at least two professional references, one supervisor
• Physical requirements: sedentary work, lifting 15‑44 pounds, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking and standing 3‑5 hours, kneeling, rapid mental and muscular coordination, depth perception, color discrimination; hearing aid permitted; subject to random drug testing

Responsibilities

• Meet all qualifications unless waived by the Service Chief
• Render care at clinical emergencies within scope of license to save life or prevent serious harm
• Complete an ACGME‑accredited residency or fellowship in psychiatry and/or actively participate in certification examination process with American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
• Licensed independent practitioner with prescriptive authority in any state
• Maintain required specialty certifications and basic life support certifications as applicable
• Evaluate, diagnose, treat, and consult on adult patients with mental, behavioral, addictive, or emotional disorders, including psychoses, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, sexual dysfunctions, and adjustment disorders
• Provide consultation to physicians/providers in other fields regarding mental health issues
• Offer pharmacotherapy, family therapy, geriatric psychiatric care, behavior modification, court consultation, emergency psychiatry, supervision/consultation to mental health staff and trainees, order diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications
• Perform history and physical exam
• Complete suicide/homicide risk screening, assessment, safety planning, and care disposition
• Assess, stabilize, and determine disposition of patients with emergent conditions per medical staff policy
• Administer psychopharmacology, including clozapine as allowed by VA regulations
• Provide individual, group, couple, and family therapy
• Deliver medication‑assisted therapy interventions for substance use disorders
• Maintain proficiency in specialized procedures and performance of research fellowship privileges when applicable

Benefits & Compensation

• Work schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday
• Competitive salary with 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 possible 5 days paid absence for CME)
• Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care insurance (many can be carried into retirement)
• Full and unrestricted medical license from any U.S. state or territory
• Possible $1,000 per year CME reimbursement for full‑time board‑certified physicians
• Malpractice coverage: free liability protection with tail coverage
• No significant restriction on moonlighting; no physician employment contract