Physician - Psychiatrist (Acute Recovery Center)

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) & 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

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 physicians 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 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


• VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status. Approved residencies include those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States) deemed to provide appropriate professional training and patient care experience by the local Medical Staff Executive Committee.


• Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs 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


• Instead 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


• Board certification or eligibility in Psychiatry is required


• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard –


• Physical Requirements: The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking, talking, driving, use of the telephone and computer, etc. Strenuous physical activity is not required although the incumbent is expected to withstand pressure and stress as part of daily activities. Light lifting and carrying – under 15 pounds. Hearing aid permitted as needed.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until June 14, 2026.


• The initial cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications will be May 1, 2026 – with subsequent cut‑off dates every two weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.


• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.


• Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday‑Friday.


• Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment) – Learn more.


• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.


• Contact: View email address on click.appcast.io – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.


• Pay: Competitive salary – annual performance bonus – regular salary increases.


• Paid Time Off: 50‑55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, and possibly 5 days paid absence for CME).


• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (five‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA.


• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and 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; no significant restriction on moonlighting.


• The staff physician (psychiatry) is assigned to the VA San Francisco Health Care System (VASFHCS) – Mental Health Service – providing comprehensive, efficient, compassionate, high‑quality healthcare to all patients as part of an inter‑disciplinary team.


• As a Staff Psychiatrist, the incumbent will primarily function in a clinical inpatient position within the Acute Recovery Center, providing psychiatric care to Veterans—including psychiatric evaluation and treatment—in collaboration with other healthcare team members.


• Within this role, the incumbent also serves as an Interventional Psychiatry provider—participating in the administration of ketamine, electroconvulsive treatment, and/or transcranial magnetic stimulation services to Veterans at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Healthcare System.


• Duties include complying with VA directives, performing staff evaluations and supervision of psychiatrists and nurse practitioners, supervising and mentoring UCSF trainees, and serving as VA faculty backup—providing supervision for on‑call UCSF residents at the SFVA.


• Major duties include but may not be limited to: participating in an effective clinical program with attention to patient outcome indicators and practicing within the scope of assigned privileges.


• Comply with the bylaws, rules, and regulations of the facility and agency.


• Meet medical staff criteria for initial appointment and reappointment—including ongoing CME.


• Comply with prescribed record‑keeping practices according to rules, regulations, and bylaws.


• Adhere to information‑security policy and procedures.


• Work effectively with patients, families, staff, coworkers, and other health‑care professionals.


• Participate in Medical Service educational activities and scheduled meetings.


• Comply with assigned peer reviews and maintain quality‑assurance standards.


• Complete all assigned health record reviews, peer reviews, etc., within the identified timeframes.


• Additional duties as assigned.