Physician - Psychiatry Supervisor

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, GA

6h

About The Position

The Supervisory Psychiatrist provides clinical leadership, oversight, and direction within the mental health service. The role supervises an interdisciplinary team that may include psychiatrists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and psychiatry residents, and ensures high-quality patient care, adherence to VA policies and clinical standards, and coordination of psychiatric services.

The position oversees assigned psychiatric programs or clinics, contributes to program goals and service improvements, and collaborates with mental health, primary care, specialty care, and administrative teams. It also includes direct psychiatric care, administrative responsibilities, and oversight of quality, compliance, and patient safety.

This is an open continuous announcement that will remain open until September 30, 2027. Qualified applicants may be considered and referred as vacancies become available. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and may change based on agency needs. The announcement states there is no physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or an 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 training program leading to eligibility for board certification, or qualifying alternative training and independent-practice experience described in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must undergo a background/security investigation and complete online onboarding and required application documentation.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.
• Must be physically and mentally able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must meet the education requirements for the medical degree, including the specified accreditation or foreign-graduate eligibility criteria.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in diagnostic evaluations, medication management, crisis intervention, and treatment planning for complex behavioral health conditions.
• Ability to deliver or oversee evidence-based treatments, support interdisciplinary care, and ensure safe prescribing practices.
• Experience supervising psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and residents; conducting competency assessments; monitoring performance; and supporting professional development.
• Experience in strategic planning, policy development, and resource allocation within mental health services.
• Board certification, for the stated possibility of CME reimbursement.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert psychiatric consultation and leadership across mental health programs, supporting evidence-based and recovery-oriented care.
• Oversee diagnostic evaluations, medication management, crisis intervention, and treatment planning for complex behavioral health conditions.
• Ensure clinical services comply with VA, VHA, VISN, facility, and accreditation requirements.
• Directly supervise assigned clinical staff, potentially including psychiatrists, advanced practice providers, and psychiatry residents.
• Conduct performance evaluations and competency assessments, monitor professional development, and identify staff training needs.
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and guidance to support staff retention, performance, and morale.
• Oversee daily operations of assigned psychiatric programs or clinics, including workload distribution and team coordination.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate program goals, clinical workflows, and service improvements.
• Collaborate with leadership on resource allocation, staffing, productivity expectations, strategic planning, and policy development.
• Coordinate patient services with mental health leaders, primary care, specialty care teams, and administrative stakeholders.
• Support integration of behavioral health within broader clinical programs, including BHIP, CRH, and Addiction Services.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment meetings, case reviews, and care coordination initiatives.
• Provide direct psychiatric care, including assessment, pharmacologic treatment, and follow-up care.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation in accordance with VA electronic health record standards.
• Ensure continuity of care, safety planning, and appropriate management of high-risk patients.
• Monitor clinical adherence to regulatory and quality standards, including TJC, CARF, and VHA directives.
• Oversee quality initiatives, peer reviews, and performance improvement projects.
• Ensure safe prescribing, documentation, and follow-up protocols.
• Respond to audits, reviews, and required reporting with timely and accurate information.
• Participate in leadership meetings, committees, and workgroups.
• Complete administrative reports, data reviews, and program performance metrics.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and workforce planning for psychiatric staff.

Benefits

• Recruitment or relocation incentives (sign-on bonus) may be available for well-qualified applicants.
• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan repayment is authorized, subject to stated eligibility restrictions.
• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, consisting of annual leave, sick leave, federal holidays, and possibly five days of paid CME absence.
• Traditional federal pension after five years of vesting and federal 401(k) contributions of up to 5% by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 annual CME reimbursement for full-time physicians with board certification.
• Free 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: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree