Physician-Inpatient Psychiatrist

About the role

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Responsibilities

• Pyschiatrist will focus on the assessment/evaluation and medication management of veterans who suffer from a variety of mental health conditions, including, but not limited to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, substance abuse, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychosis, and other related conditions.
• Writes prescriptions for medications, including controlled medications which require a DEA number.
• Initiates consultation by and referral to other services as indicated.
• Edicates staff hospital wide about psychiatric needs of patients; how to handle; what to expect; etc.
• Works with families of patients receiving psychiatric care.
• Provides and documents education and counseling of patients and patients' families in preventive care, medical treatments, and the use of prescribed medications.
• Accepts and manages calls from psychiatric inpatient services, the ED, and the entire hospital, during nights and weekends, on a rotating basis with other physicians, if working at the VA Medical Center.
• Performs history and physical examinations.
• Performs psychological counseling, crisis intervention, and group therapy within the scope of the clinician's training.
• Apropraitely and timely completions of medical records, including progress notes, consults, history and physicals, and discharge summaries.
• Provides and documents education and counseling of the patient and the patient's family in preventative care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs.
• Orders appropriate laboratory and diagnostic tests.
• Carrying out activities that are part of a preventative healthcare program.
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm, (will need to cover when hours per call schedule)

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification.
• Experience in providing care for Veterans with serious mental health disorders.
• Experience in acute crisis and Veterans with mental health illness presenting in the Emergency Department.
• Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers, Walking (2 hours); Standing (2 hours); Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle.

Qualifications

• To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement.
• Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.
• Basic Requirements: Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME)
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
• CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided
• Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting