Physician-Psychiatrist

Psychiatrist Position

Duties including providing a full range of psychiatric care, but primarily psychopharmacotherapy with some psychotherapy, for Veteran patients consistent with clinical privileges in psychiatry. Incumbent will provide psychiatrist services as part of a multidisciplinary mental health team. Incumbent will provide the full range of outpatient psychiatry services to patients who primarily receive services through the Hilo COBC, consistent with psychiatric privileges. Incumbent will participate in team meetings, committees, and other assigned duties as a member of the VAPIHCS medical staff. Incumbent may be required to provide cross coverage for other VAPIHCS mental health CBOC sites.

Clinical Care:

• Provide a full range of psychiatric services with a primary focus on psychopharmacotherapy and some psychotherapy for Veteran patients.
• Deliver outpatient psychiatry services to patients primarily at the Hilo CBOC, consistent with psychiatric privileges.
• Participate in team meetings, committees, and other duties as a member of the VAPIHCS (Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System) medical staff.
• Provide cross coverage for other VAPIHCS mental health CBOC sites as needed.

Diagnostic Services:

• Conduct general psychiatric evaluations for assessing cognitive function, emotional status, and personality structure.
• Provide evaluations for specific areas such as risk of harm to self or others and substance use/chemical dependency.

Medication and Crisis Management:

• Perform medication evaluations and management, especially for veterans new to mental health treatment, in crisis, or with a dual diagnosis, including substance use disorders.
• Screen and diagnose veterans with a spectrum of mental health disorders including psychotic, affective, anxiety (including PTSD), and substance use disorders.
• Assess for dangerousness and determine appropriate initial treatment.

Psychotherapy and Intervention Services:

• Provide psychotherapeutic services, crisis intervention, or psychological interventions based on training and experience.
• Offer Mental Health Triage coverage throughout normal working hours with other providers.

Integration with Primary Care:

• Provide psychiatric assessment in the Primary Care Clinic as needed and consult with Primary Care Clinic providers for veterans with psychiatric issues.

Collaboration and Consultation:

• Work collaboratively with other professionals on an interdisciplinary mental health team and participate in scheduled team meetings at the Hilo CBOC.
• Engage in cross-disciplinary collaboration with other providers across the VAPIHCS system to ensure comprehensive, integrated care for veterans.
• Interface with the Suicide Prevention Team/Suicide Prevention Coordinator and Emergency Response Teams to provide comprehensive care during, as well as after, life-threatening psychiatric acuity events.
• Promote out-of-the-box thinking by seeking innovative solutions and approaches to enhance patient care and address complex mental health challenges within the multidisciplinary team.

Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery (ICMHR) Team Participation:

• Work collaboratively with the ICMHR team to develop and implement individualized treatment plans aimed at supporting recovery and improving the quality of life for veterans with chronic mental health issues.
• In addition to BHIP duties, be an active member of the ICMHR team, focusing on providing psychiatric medication management for Veterans enrolled in intensive community-based services for severe mental health conditions.