Career Center

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more. To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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: 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 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. (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), 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. 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 or fee-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. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Preferred Experience: Clinical experience in psychiatry. Board eligibility/Board Certification in Psychiatry. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Applicants must meet physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required. This is a designated drug testing position. After appointment, you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Requires lifting 15-44 pounds; pushing (approx. 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers and both hands; walking and standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Hearing aid is permitted. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more.\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Rudy Pearson @ (202) 745-8000 ext. 56899, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases\nPaid Time Off: 50-55 days of annual paid time offer 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)\nRetirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA\nInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)\nLicensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory\nCME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)\nMalpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided\nContract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting\nThe Psychiatry Physician serves as a primary provider of psychiatric care for designated patients, which includes psychiatric examination and treatment, coordination of medical care with the patient's Primary Care Provider, coordination of consultations and referrals of patients to other medical and/or Mental Health services, and participation in quality assurance and utilization programs including peer reviews, open and closed medical record reviews and utilization reviews. The incumbent coordinates preventive health care needs according to guidelines established by the Department of Veterans Affairs and sound psychiatric practice. The incumbent maintains an active knowledge of the patient care processes and policies of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the medical center and its clinics. An essential element is active knowledge of the medical records system (CPRS). This includes using the computerized medical record system for progress notes, orders, prescriptions, and medical record review and completion of such records in a thorough and timely manner. The incumbent shall have knowledge of and abide by Medical Center Staff Bylaws, VHA Rules and Regulations, and be familiar with existing VA clinical practice guidelines. Psychiatry physicians as assigned are responsible for duty for emergent and/or triage functions for walk-in patients. Physicians have a responsibility to accommodate assigned patients' emergent needs. Phone calls, administrative forms completion and other patient requests are to be completed in a timely manner - in most cases by the end of the workday. Physicians will be assigned on-call duties and have a responsibility to comply with the procedures regarding on-call responsibilities. Psychiatry physicians are active participants in the supervision of medical students, residents and fellows. Supervision of trainees is a component of the physician's responsibility. Supervision includes review of pertinent history and examination findings, discussion of all patients during inpatient, clinic supervision or on-call responsibilities, and review of patient care and treatment decisions. The supervising psychiatrist is responsible for all patient care delivered by trainees. All new patients and any patient with significant change in clinical status are to be evaluated by the physician, except for patients seen in consultation the Emergency Department, for whom supervision of the resident may be conducted by telephone. All notes written by trainees should be co-signed by the attending physician within 24 hours of the visit, and the attending must include an addendum documenting supervision of the case. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday -8:00am - 4:30pm"]