Psychiatrist - Physician (Regular Ft)

Veterans Health Administration • New Bedford, MA

4d

About The Position

The Staff Psychiatrist works in the Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences Service of the VA Providence Healthcare System, primarily providing outpatient psychiatric services to Veterans. The role delivers comprehensive psychiatric care, including assessment, consultation, treatment, psychotherapy, and psychopharmacology, for a broad range of mental health conditions. Care is provided in person and virtually, with infrequent evening coverage of the inpatient unit.

The psychiatrist conducts psychiatric evaluations and examinations, develops treatment plans in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, documents care in the Computerized Patient Record System, and completes clinical reminders and encounters. The role also contributes to training and supervising psychiatry residents, medical students, and other allied health trainees, and participates in quality improvement, peer review, and assigned committees. Practice must comply with applicable VA policies, clinical guidelines, quality measures, documentation requirements, and relevant regulatory and accreditation standards.

This is a regular full-time position with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to VHA eligibility rules and application review. The VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including paid leave, retirement, insurance, and other benefits described in the posting.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved and 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 alternative training and independent-practice pathway specified in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination and meet the physical requirements of the position.
• Meet VA onboarding, background/security investigation, and other pre-employment requirements; applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Be emotionally and mentally stable enough to perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to self or others.
• Submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment if seeking this program benefit, and meet its eligibility requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Board certified or board eligible.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive psychiatric assessment, consultation, and treatment, primarily in an outpatient setting, for a broad range of conditions affecting Veterans.
• Provide infrequent evening coverage of the inpatient unit.
• Perform psychiatric evaluations for patients with mental health symptoms and complex psychosocial issues.
• Conduct history and physical examinations, including mental status examinations, intake assessments, substance use assessments, and suicide risk evaluations.
• Provide psychotherapy and psychopharmacological care, and prepare comprehensive clinical and psychiatric evaluations and summaries.
• Deliver care in person and through virtual modalities.
• Collaborate with psychologists, social workers, nurse practitioners, and other providers in team meetings and treatment planning to coordinate comprehensive patient care.
• Document patient care in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) in accordance with VA policies and procedures.
• Complete clinical reminders and encounters and adhere to quality management performance measures.
• Ensure psychiatric practice complies with Joint Commission and CARF standards, VA policies and procedures, clinical practice guidelines, VISN standards, statutes and regulations, documentation requirements, continuing education requirements, and HIPAA policies.
• Participate in training and supervision of psychiatry residents, medical students, and other allied health professional trainees.
• Participate in performance improvement activities, physician peer review, and assigned committees.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program reimbursement of up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and program approval.
• 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 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; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 annual CME reimbursement for full-time, board-certified physicians.
• 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree