Psychiatrist (Mental Health Intensive Case Management)

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 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
• Approval of residencies: either an ACGME or AOA accredited program, or one year of post‑medical‑school training followed by two years of independent practice, or non‑US residency followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States
• PRPs may be appointed on an intermittent basis under specific conditions and have a scope of practice allowing them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Outpatient experience with patients with Serious Mental Illness (SMI)
• Physical Requirements: Requires a pre‑employment physical, lifting 15‑44 pounds, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking and standing 3‑5 hours and kneeling, rapid mental and muscular coordination, near vision correctable at 13” to 16” to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing aid permitted
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard –

Duties

• Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (with required on‑call rotation including nights, weekends, and holidays). 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.
• 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, plus 5 days paid absence for CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting), federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• 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.
• Contract: No Physician Employment Contract; no significant restriction on moonlighting.
• The MHICM Psychiatrist treats a panel of patients with Serious Mental Illness engaged in the MHICM program.
• Coordinate care with case managers, serve as psychiatrist for patients in Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center care.
• Serve as subject‑matter expert in treatment of complicated Serious Mental Illness, including long‑acting injectables such as clozapine.
• Perform clinical, teaching, and administrative duties including assessment, history gathering, mental status exam, laboratory and imaging evaluations, diagnostic formulation, and provision of psychiatric care according to privileges.
• Teach and supervise services required in the practice of psychiatry to psychiatry residents.
• Provide educational experiences to health‑care personnel seeking training in mental health services (medical students, psychology interns, social work interns, physician assistants, nursing students, non‑psychiatry medical residents).
• Assist in meeting performance measures, completing training in a timely manner, and keeping up with medical and administrative documentation.
• Attend departmental staff meetings, hospital committees, in‑service programs, and education programs.
• Participate in continuous quality improvement through the peer review process.
• Responsible for all aspects of psychiatric care, including assisting residents and/or nurse practitioners in evaluation and treatment of psychiatric patients.
• Provide and timely documentation, primarily staff progress notes, and cosign resident notes indicating supervision and concurrence.
• Trained in the performance of electroconvulsive therapy and supervise residents in that procedure on a scheduled basis.
• Reside on a 40‑hour work week, typically 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday‑Friday, with possible variations and on‑call as scheduled.
• May be responsible for inpatient or outpatient care, graduate and undergraduate medical education, and scientific research as appropriate.