Physician (Psychiatrist) - Program Manager - Psychiatric Assessment and Clinical Center (PACC)

Veterans Health Administration • Tacoma, WA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The physician serves as Program Manager, Team Lead, and Supervisory Psychiatrist for the Psychiatric Assessment and Clinical Center (PACC) in the Mental Health Service Line at the American Lake Division of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Tacoma, Washington. PACC and Same Day Access provide urgent and walk-in mental health services to Veterans whose acute psychiatric conditions interfere with day-to-day functioning.

PACC staff triage, evaluate, and manage Veterans presenting with a range of psychiatric conditions, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, PTSD, anxiety disorders, dementia with behavioral disturbances, delirium, and co-occurring diagnoses. Services also address Veterans at imminent risk of harm to themselves or others, including those who are suicidal, homicidal, or gravely disabled. Through its Intensive Outpatient Program, PACC provides follow-up medication management in a less restrictive setting for Veterans in crisis who do not require high-intensity inpatient psychiatric care. PACC is also an entry point for Veterans new to mental health services, providing assessment and care coordination.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to VHA eligibility requirements and application deadlines. The announcement also describes authorized recruitment/relocation incentives and a federal physician total rewards package, including paid leave, retirement, insurance, possible CME reimbursement, and malpractice coverage. Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved or accredited school.
• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery 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 qualifying alternative training and independent-practice experience as specified in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, drug screening for testing-designated positions, physical evaluation, and seasonal influenza vaccination.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience in mental health.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Program Manager, Team Lead, and Supervisory Psychiatrist for PACC within the Mental Health Service Line.
• Oversee urgent and walk-in mental health services for Veterans experiencing acute psychiatric conditions.
• Triage, evaluate, and manage Veterans presenting with a wide range of psychiatric conditions and levels of risk.
• Provide or oversee follow-up medication management through the Intensive Outpatient Program for Veterans in crisis who do not require high-intensity inpatient psychiatric care.
• Provide assessment and care coordination for Veterans who are new to mental health services.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and program approval, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Authorized recruitment/relocation incentives, including a sign-on bonus.
• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, federal holidays, and possible paid CME absence.
• Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 per year CME reimbursement for full-time physicians with board certification.
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
• No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

What This Job Offers

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