Physician - Staff Psychiatrist (Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program)

Veterans Health Administration • Fredericksburg, VA

16d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychiatrist serves on the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team for Mental Health Service at the Fredericksburg Health Care Center in Fredericksburg, Virginia, part of the Central Virginia VA Health Care System. The psychiatrist provides care to Veterans, primarily in outpatient clinical settings, with specialized expertise in medication management of mental disorders. Clinical areas may include depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder, personality disorders, and other psychiatric disorders. Care is delivered in person, by telehealth, and by telephone.

The position provides diagnostic and therapeutic services, coordinates care within an interdisciplinary team, and contributes to staff education and facility initiatives. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program requirements and approval. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized for a qualified applicant.

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 residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program leading to board-certification eligibility, 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.
• Selected applicants in testing-designated positions must submit to urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Successful completion of a background/security investigation and required online onboarding and application requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• The position may require completion of a probationary period.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of a primarily sedentary role, including sitting, walking, standing, and bending, and to respond to time-sensitive reports while balancing competing demands.

Nice To Haves

• Completion of a four-year ACGME-approved psychiatry residency program.
• Prior VA experience.
• Board certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychiatric care through in-person visits, VA Video Connect telehealth, and telephone.
• Deliver diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, including diagnostic assessments, medication evaluation and management, psychotherapy, suicide risk assessments, and crisis intervention.
• Provide expert opinions for civil commitment proceedings and respond to emergency clinical situations.
• Participate in the overall care of patients in the assigned outpatient clinical setting.
• Maintain the ability to prescribe Suboxone and Clozapine.
• Order diagnostic tests, imaging studies, and consultations; interpret normal and abnormal findings and make appropriate treatment decisions.
• Gather information from medical records and collateral sources; complete clinical reminders and screens; document in CPRS; and formulate treatment and safety plans.
• Coordinate consultations and triage specialty clinic referrals as a member of the mental health team.
• Ensure psychiatric practice complies with applicable standards, laws, regulations, VA policies, clinical practice guidelines, documentation requirements, and continuing medical education requirements.
• Maintain clinical privileges, conduct peer review, and attend required Mental Health Service meetings.
• Submit leave and clinic modification requests, communicate coverage needs and issues to management, and perform other assigned duties.
• Participate in service and facility committees, task groups, and special projects to support compliance with agency directives and goals and contribute to Veteran health care services.
• Provide staff development and training, including educational presentations on caring for and managing patients with mental disorders in the primary care environment.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program, with potential awards up to $200,000 for an approved eligibility period of one to five years, subject to program requirements and approval.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized for a qualified applicant.
• 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 VA contributions of up to 5%.
• 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 employees.
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

What This Job Offers

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