Psychiatrist - Chief, Mental Health

Summary

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.

About the Role

The Chief of Mental Health (MH) is responsible for all aspects of administration and clinical aspects of the services delivered in Mental Health Service (MHS).

Responsibilities

• Administrative Responsibilities: 90%
  • Maintains primary responsibility for all aspects of administration in MHS in the relationship to the VA Medical Center at large.
  • Supervises a group of employees performing work at various GS levels and across organizational units, specialty areas and programs providing administrative, personnel, technical and clinical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit/service including outreach efforts and efforts at other sites within a Health Care System.
  • Plans work to be accomplished by team leaders and program managers, including establishing priorities, timelines for completion and necessary adjustments therein.
  • Makes decisions regarding the allocation of resources within the Mental Health Service.
  • Monitors compliance of program managers, coordinators, team leaders and members with VA performance measures and effectively shapes provider practice patterns to improve standing on performance measures.
  • Supervises the MH Supervisory team members, establishing guidelines and performance expectations for staff, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system.
  • Provides clinical supervision, as appropriate, to assigned team leaders and members regarding adherence to Hershel "Woody" Williams VAMC clinical and legal standards and policies, documentation of CPRS procedures, and the clinical management of difficult, complex, and dangerous patients.
  • Conducts ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects that monitor the effectiveness of clinical operations within their respective program(s).
  • Develops and implements information systems to track service activities including visits, referrals, inpatient days, patient demographics, equipment utilization and patient satisfaction.
  • Manages and controls the use of data related to these programs regarding the day-to-day functioning and program evaluation.
  • Deploys resources within programs, based on a data-driven decision-making process with consideration given to the overall needs of the organization and Service Line (e.g., productivity, clinic utilization, staffing needs, barriers to access, etc.).
• Clinical Responsibilities: 10%
  • Provides treatment for beneficiaries with general psychiatric disorders in a variety of treatment, including tele-mental health.
  • Must be skilled in Psychopharmacology.
  • Must be able to provide a comprehensive psychiatric summary.
  • Ensures accreditation requirements are met including reviewing checklists compliance for JC and CARF.

Requirements

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.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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.
• (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - in the list published for the year the residency - or fellowship if applicable - was completed.
• (2) One year of post medical school training (internship - first year of residency - or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States.
• (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the Physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences.
• Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education - the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - in the list published for the year the residency - or fellowship if applicable - was completed OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship - first year of residency - or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the Physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences.
• Exceptions: Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as ""Physician Resident Providers"" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e. - not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged rather - they are to have a ""scope of practice"" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally - surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs. In rare and unusual circumstances - the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer - who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience - accomplishments - performance - and qualifications warrant such action.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Majority of work is completed in an office setting. The work of this position of primarily sedentary with occasional walking of short distances. No heavy lifting required. The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Benefits

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
• VHA Physician Total Rewards: Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive Contact VISN5HREDRPCoordinators@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Pay

Competitive salary - annual performance bonus - regular salary increases.

Schedule

FT - Monday - Friday - 8am - 4:30pm