Physician - Psychiatrist

About the role

Psychiatrists at the Salem VA Medical Center (VAMC) are expected to deliver high‑quality patient care that is timely, patient‑centered, recovery‑oriented as appropriate, and based on the best available research evidence and practice guidelines. The incumbent reports directly to the Chief of Mental Health – Salem VAMC, works independently, and receives mainly advisory supervision. This position is within the VA Salem Health Care System in Salem, Virginia.

Responsibilities

• Assess and treat outpatients, and when on call, emergency‑department patients and inpatients with psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.
• Provide first‑line supervision to residents and physician assistants as assigned and may lead clinical teams.
• Follow the ethical standards of the VA and applicable licensing bodies.
• Use clinical judgment and experience when evidence does not answer complex clinical questions.
• Attend to administrative requirements such as staff meetings, email, timely completion of discharges, daily notes, daily review of encounters, and at least two peer chart reviews per quarter.
• Document clinical work appropriately.
• Communicate and treat Veterans, families, Veteran representatives, and all VA staff courteously, tactfully, and respectfully.
• Provide consistent information to customers according to established policies and procedures.
• Handle conflict and problems constructively and appropriately.
• Stay current with literature in the field.
• Attend grand rounds and/or case conferences (strongly encouraged).
• Conduct research and publication (encouraged but not required).
• Participate in on‑call rotation (in‑house and some home call); check admission logs for new admissions and ensure appropriate attending notes.
• On weekends, complete attending admission notes for all new patients and ensure clinical notes for all acute psychiatry patients.

Requirements

• United States citizenship (non‑citizens may be appointed only when recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible per VA policy).
• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from a school approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year of completion.
• Full, unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in any U.S. state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty program leading to eligibility for board certification (ACGME or AOA accredited).
• Acceptable alternatives to the above residency requirement:
  • One year of post‑medical‑school training (internship/first year of residency or transitional year) approved by ACGME or AOA, followed by two years of independent practice under a full, unrestricted license in the United States.
  • Non‑U.S. residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (U.S. fellowships count toward this requirement).
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Board eligible or board certified in Psychiatry (completed psychiatry residency).
• Physical requirements as outlined in VA Directive and Handbook 5019 (reference: VA Qualification Standards).

Pay

Competitive salary – annual performance bonus – regular salary increases.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 50–55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 Federal holidays, plus a possible 5‑day paid CME absence).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % VA contributions.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care (many programs can be carried into retirement).
• CME: Up to $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full‑time with board certification).
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Schedule

Monday – Friday – 7:45 am – 4:30 pm or 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, including some on‑call duties. Specific work schedule will be discussed during interview.