Psychiatrist (Program Manager) - Outpatient Mental Health Section

Veterans Health Administration • Tacoma, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Psychiatrist serves as Senior Program Manager and Director of Outpatient Mental Health (OMH) for the Mental Health Service Line at the American Lake division of VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Tacoma, Washington. The Mental Health Service is a large, integrated care line with more than 400 full-time-equivalent employees (FTEE). The American Lake OMH service is its largest section and includes the Mental Health Clinic/Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program, Clozapine and Injection Clinics, PTSD Outpatient Clinic, Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center, Mental Health Intensive Case Management Program, Neuropsychology Service, Mental Health Research Program, and Neuromodulation Clinic.

The director is responsible for the clinical and administrative operations of the OMH section and oversees a program of more than 80 FTEE. The role provides leadership in developing, implementing, evaluating, and overseeing a complex program delivering comprehensive care to Veterans. It also involves supervising program managers and front-line staff, providing administrative and clinical supervision or consultation, and overseeing policies, procedures, and employee performance.

Clinical duties include psychiatric assessment and diagnosis for Veterans with a broad range of psychopathology, including complex conditions; patient and family education; assessment of Veterans at imminent risk of harm to themselves or others and facilitation of acute psychiatric hospitalization; and evidence-based medication and psychotherapy interventions as indicated. The 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 institution.
• 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 an applicable alternative training and independent-practice pathway described in the announcement.
• Current board certification in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except where non-citizen appointment is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Selected applicants must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and background/security investigation and complete onboarding requirements.
• Applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-employment urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.

Responsibilities

• Direct the clinical and administrative operations of the Outpatient Mental Health section at the American Lake division.
• Lead development, implementation, evaluation, and oversight of a complex program providing comprehensive clinical care to Veterans.
• Manage a program with more than 80 FTEE and lead multidisciplinary teams of physicians, psychologists, social workers, nurses, other health professionals, and trainees.
• Develop, implement, and oversee program operational policies and procedures, with approval of the affiliated Service Line leader.
• Serve as first-line supervisor for six Program Managers and four front-line staff members, providing administrative and clinical supervision or consultation as appropriate.
• Provide administrative oversight and clinical consultation to interdisciplinary team members for whom the incumbent is not the first-line rating authority.
• Take timely and appropriate disciplinary action for employees with performance problems.
• Provide comprehensive psychiatric assessments and diagnostic services for Veterans with a broad range of psychopathology, including complex conditions.
• Use contemporary interview and assessment methods for mental disorders and behavioral health conditions.
• Educate patients and family members about mental disorders and best-practice treatment approaches.
• Assess Veterans at imminent risk of harm to themselves or others, including grave disability, and facilitate admission for acute psychiatric hospitalization.
• Provide evidence-based pharmacotherapy for an assigned patient panel and evidence-based psychotherapy when indicated and appropriate.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Recruitment/relocation incentives (sign-on bonus) are authorized.
• 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 and federal 401(k), with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 per year 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