Chief of Mental Health Service Line (Psychiatrist)

Veterans Health Administration • Fayetteville, NC

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Chief of the Mental Health Service Line (MHSL) provides administrative, clinical, and programmatic leadership to ensure the Fayetteville North Carolina VA Coastal Health Care System achieves its clinical, research, and education goals in support of the Veterans Health Administration mission. The Chief is accountable for the care delivered by MHSL staff and for administration, management, and leadership of the service. The role assesses the health care delivery system affected by mental health services and develops plans for patient care consistent with VHA policies and guidelines, while fostering an environment that promotes optimal patient care.

The Chief participates in senior decision-making and policy design in collaboration with medical center leadership, service chiefs, and other staff. The incumbent directs the health care program, delegates authority and responsibility, and oversees programs and personnel, quality of care, performance improvement, patient satisfaction, safety, recruitment and retention, employee relations, standards of care, work environment, and accreditation and regulatory compliance. The role develops collaborative partnerships, works with the union, adheres to EEO principles, and supports facility initiatives including cultural transformation and patient-centered care.

The psychiatrist is expected to be a Behavioral Health content expert and a visible contributor at facility, VISN 6, and national levels, serving on committees and workgroups that affect policy and practice. The psychiatrist advises facility and network leadership on post-deployment health, PTSD, technology and health, program development, research and academic development, and behavioral health. At the VM-0602-15 level, the psychiatrist is fully licensed, practices independently as a member of the medical staff with full clinical privileges, and assumes professional responsibility for clinical assessments, care decisions, and documentation. The position reports directly to the Chief of Staff, who sets objectives, priorities, and deadlines. The incumbent is responsible for effective medical care and compliance standards for the Behavioral Health Service Line.

This is an open continuous announcement, with qualified applicants forwarded to the hiring manager weekly. The position may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to VHA eligibility and approval requirements. EDRP may provide up to $200,000 over an eligibility period of one to five years. The position has a Monday-through-Friday schedule, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No physician employment contract or significant restriction on moonlighting applies.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved or accredited institution.
• Current, full, and unrestricted medical or surgical license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Completion of qualifying residency training in an accredited core specialty program leading to board-certification eligibility, or an approved alternative training and independent-practice pathway specified in the announcement.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Must complete required background/security investigation and onboarding requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a two-year probationary period, subject to the conditions described in the announcement.
• Must meet EDRP eligibility requirements and submit an application within four months of appointment to be considered for EDRP.

Nice To Haves

• Four years of experience in psychiatry.
• Three years of experience in a leadership role.
• Board certification is relevant to the possible $1,000 annual CME reimbursement, which is specified as requiring full-time status and board certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative, clinical, and programmatic leadership for the Mental Health Service Line.
• Ensure the service supports the facility’s clinical, research, and education goals and the VHA mission.
• Oversee care delivered by MHSL staff and manage the service’s programs and personnel.
• Assess the health care delivery system affected by mental health services and develop plans for patient care consistent with VHA policies and guidelines.
• Foster a service climate that promotes optimal patient care.
• Participate in senior decision-making and policy design with medical center leadership, service chiefs, and other staff.
• Direct the health care program and delegate authority and responsibility to meet medical center and service goals.
• Oversee quality of care, performance improvement, customer service and patient satisfaction, patient and employee safety, recruitment and retention, employee relations, standards of care and practice, the work environment, and accreditation and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and manage collaborative partnerships, work with the union, and adhere to EEO principles.
• Support facility and service initiatives, including cultural transformation and patient-centered care.
• Serve on committees and workgroups affecting behavioral health policies and practice at facility, VISN 6, and national levels.
• Advise facility and network leadership on post-deployment health, PTSD, technology and health, program development, research and academic development, and behavioral health.
• Provide independent clinical psychiatric practice, including assessments, patient care decisions, and documentation, with full clinical privileges.
• Deliver effective medical care while meeting and exceeding Behavioral Health Service Line compliance standards.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility, with potential reimbursement up to $200,000 for eligible approved applicants.
• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and possible five-day paid CME absence.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance, with many programs portable into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 per year CME reimbursement for full-time employees with board certification.
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree