Addiction Psychiatrist - Supervisory

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education debt reduction program

Comprehensive total rewards package

Annual performance bonus

Paid time off

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Charleston, South Carolina seeks a psychiatrist to perform evaluations and provide therapy for veterans facing mental health challenges. The role includes responsibilities for assessments, treatment plans, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including sign-on bonus eligibility, paid time off, and retirement plans. Candidates must have a medical degree and a valid U.S. state license to apply.

Qualifications

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Full and unrestricted license to practice medicine.
• Completed residency training in an accredited specialty.

Responsibilities

• Perform psychiatric evaluations for diverse populations.
• Provide a full range of therapeutic interventions.
• Ensure compliance with VA policies and clinical guidelines.

Skills

Proficiency in spoken and written English

Fellowship in addiction psychiatry

Experience teaching resident and fellows

Education

Degree of doctor of medicine or equivalent

Tools

Board certification

Job description

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. Program 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 review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

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. 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 physicians 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 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
• Or 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 in the United States
• Or 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 toward this requirement)
• Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs 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
• Their scope of practice allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision
• Surgical 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
• Preferred experience: Fellowship in addiction psychiatry
• Experience teaching resident and fellows preferred but not required
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical requirements: The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking – sitting – talking – driving – use of the telephone – etc. Strenuous physical activity is not required although the incumbent is expected to withstand pressure and stress as part of their day‑to‑day activities. Ongoing exposure to individuals having psychiatric and physical illness and disabilities, including violent or aggressive behavior and chronic psychiatric and medical problems. Light lifting – under 15 pounds – Light carrying – under 15 pounds – Hearing aid permitted.

Benefits

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus): Authorized for a highly qualified candidate
• Education debt reduction program (student loan repayment): Learn more
• EDRP authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] – the EDRP coordinator for questions/assistance
• Pay: 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 401(k) 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
  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 – this is an open continuous announcement

Application Process

• Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available
• Applications will remain on file until September 30, 2026

Responsibilities

• Performs psychiatric evaluations for a diverse population – including geriatric and post‑deployment combat veterans – who are mentally ill and have psychosocial issues such as homelessness, unemployment, and poor family support network
• Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions including diagnostic assessment, medication evaluation and management, suicide risk assessments, crisis intervention, and overall care of patients with psychiatric disorders
• Ensures practice of psychiatric medicine is consistent with TJC, CARF, HIPAA, VA policies and procedures, clinical practice guidelines, national statutes and regulations, medical record documentation, and mandatory continuing education
• Provides a full range of psycho‑diagnostic services including assessment and the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care
• The psychiatrist may serve as a mental health team leader with responsibilities for coordinating consults and triage of specialty clinic referrals
• Participates effectively in team meetings and treatment planning conferences and collaborates with multidisciplinary team members to enhance coordination of comprehensive patient care
• Orders diagnostic tests and consultations and discriminates between normal and abnormal findings and makes appropriate treatment decisions
• May participate in supervision and teaching in support of the psychiatric residency program – performs on‑call duties – and performs other directly related duties as assigned
• Areas which the psychiatrist is assigned and has clinical privileges to practice may include depression, anxiety, psychosis, PTSD, substance abuse, and other psychiatric disorders in various clinical settings (outpatient – inpatient – ED)
• Work schedule: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday (subject to change based on agency needs)