Career Center

The Psychiatric Section Chief performs psychiatric evaluations for a diverse population of veterans and those with mental health, substance use disorder, psychosocial, cognitive, and co-occurring disorder challenges. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions including diagnostic assessment, medication evaluation and management, psychotherapy, suicide risk assessments, crisis intervention, and overall care of patients with psychiatric disorders. 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: Supervision experience in the VA/Federal Government with a strong focus on interdisciplinary teamwork. 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: The physician should be physically and mentally capable to perform the duties of the position including examinations, formulate the diagnosis and treatment plan and educate residents. Physical activities include sitting, standing (up to 4 hours) walking (up to 2 hours), heavy lifting (45 pounds or over), reaching above the shoulder, and repeated bending. The incumbent should be emotionally and mentally stable; and capable to perform the duties of the position. ["This announcement will remain open until the position is filled (if a selection is made and offer accepted, announcement will be closed). Qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official every two weeks from the opening date of the announcement. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Supervises the Mental Health Clinic and Northern CBOCs. Provides leadership, advice giving, counsel, consultation, and instruction to employees on clinical and administrative matters, working closely with the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Programs (BHIP) comprised of psychiatry, psychology, Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurses, Social Workers, LMFT, LPMHC and Program Support Assistant. Serves as psychiatrist provider of care, as needed, performing psychiatric evaluations for a diverse population to include geriatric and post- deployment combat Veterans and those with mental health, substance use disorder, psychosocial, cognitive, and co-occurring disorder challenges. Facilitates interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and decision making. Collaborates with nursing and administrative staff. Arranges and provides coverage for provider absences. Works with Service Chief and Assistant Chief on issues pertinent to MH&BSS. Identifies staffing needs, reviews provider grids, tracks workload and productivity and fosters BHIP staffing models aligned with Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Memorandum and Handbooks. Coordinates physician staff, including professional development plans, recruitment/retention, and human resource interventions under the auspices of MH&BSS leadership. Responsible for supervision of staff and evaluations including performance appraisals, proficiency, personnel actions, peer reviews. Defines and develops clinical privilege statements for staff in his/her section including levels of care that include all requirements of VHA handbook 1100.19 (credentialing and privileging). Develops policies and procedures to assure effective management, ethics, safety, communication and quality within the section and between MHBS sections and other services as appropriate. Organizes work, sets priorities, reports results of ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects designed to monitor effectiveness of the clinical program. Skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives, and ability to devise strategies to adapt work operations to new and changing programs, staffing, and budgeting requirements. Assists in preparation for external accreditation surveys and continuous readiness. Furthers the goals of equal employment opportunity (EEO) by taking positive steps to ensure accomplishment of affirmative action objectives and by adhering to nondiscriminatory practices in regard to race, color, religion, gender and affirmative action in the following areas: fair treatment of all colleagues; encouragement and recognition of employees and colleagues' achievements. Supports and monitors time and attendance of staff including leave requests via VATAS. Ensures compliance with psychiatry resident/PA/NP/DO student supervision policy, clinical reminders, completion of encounters and notes, performance measures and indicators as required by local, VISN and national policy. Participates as Champion or on work groups or committees related to system redesign, performance measures and safety. Utilizes evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines appropriately and ability to guide staff in using these tools. Manages and directs the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives. Translates management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations. Monitors production and performance priorities and standards. Analyzes organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM\nCompressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Authorized\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement Title: Physician (Psychiatrist-Section Chief)\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Is authorized.for highly qualfied candidates\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not Required"]