Physician (Psychiatrist)

Summary

Education and length of practice are considered through a formal pay-setting process to determine the final compensable salary (Base Pay + Market Pay)

Qualifications

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.

• 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 allopathic 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
• Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education – the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) – in the list published for the year the residency – or fellowship if applicable – was completed
• OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship – first year of residency – or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States
• OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) – 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 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
• In rare and unusual circumstances – the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer – who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience – accomplishments – performance – and qualifications warrant such action
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit
• Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position – with or without reasonable accommodation – without hazard to themselves or others
• Depending on the essential duties of a specific position – usable vision – color vision – hearing or speech may be required
• However – in most cases – a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid.

Duties

The Robert S Poydasheff VA Clinic in Columbus – Georgia – is a state‑of‑the‑art outpatient facility providing primary care and a wide range of specialty health services including mental health services, laboratory services, and more for veterans.

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): May be available for highly qualified applicants
• Relocation Incentive (for current Federal Employees) (Sign‑on Bonus): May be available for highly qualified applicants
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
• Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• 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 401(k) 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: One full and unrestricted license from any U.S. 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
• Outpatient Psychiatrist Clinical Duties:
  • Screening, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of all patients
  • Completes appropriate follow‑up examinations and medication management of assigned patients and ensures that all assigned patients receive appropriate care
  • Reviews medical information on all referred and assigned patients
  • Consults with patients, their families, other medical professionals, attorneys, and other appropriate persons to interpret clinical findings
  • Leads, facilitates, and coordinates treatment planning and assigns persons responsible for follow‑up on established goals and objectives
  • Directs and instructs nurses, other professional support staff, attendants, and residents in the care and treatment of patients
  • Prescribes medications for the treatment of physical and psychological disorders within approved clinical privileges
  • Attends and participates in general and teaching conferences as assigned
  • Pursues and receives advanced training in the field of pharmacological, behavioral, cognitive and motivational therapies, crisis interventions and treatment compliance to enhance these areas of expertise for all CAVHCS
  • Provides consultation services to other disciplines within Mental Health across service lines and the VISN
  • Provides coverage for inpatient/outpatient psychiatrists as required and provides formal supervision for Nurse Practitioners with respect to DEA requirements
  • Serves as Psychiatrist Officer of the Day for on‑call duties during non‑administrative hours, weekend, and holidays as assigned
  • Abides by all patient care documentation policies and Medical Center Bylaws
• Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday (subject to change based on the needs of the agency)