Physician - Addictions Psychiatrist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Fredericksburg (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual performance bonus

Paid time off of 50-55 days

Traditional federal pension

Federal 401(k) contributions

Health, vision, and dental insurance

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Fredericksburg, Virginia, seeks a qualified physician to provide outpatient psychiatric management for veterans, including combat veterans and those with substance use disorders. Candidates must hold a Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree, current licensure, and have experience in veteran care.

The role involves assessment, collaboration with health teams, and managing medications. Compensation includes competitive salary, annual bonuses, and generous paid time off.

Qualifications

• Must hold a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state.
• Experience in psychiatry, with a focus on substance use disorders.
• Residency training in an approved program.

Responsibilities

• Provide outpatient psychiatric management for diverse veteran populations.
• Conduct assessments, history, and physical examinations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in the SUD Clinic.

Skills

Board certification in General Adult Psychiatry

Experience in Veteran care

Spoken and written English proficiency

Education

Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree

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 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.
• Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent allopathic or osteopathic medicine degree.
• 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 U.S. State, Territory or Commonwealth 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.
• Option 1: Approved residency through ACGME or AOA for the year completed.
• Option 2: One year of post‑medical school training (internship or transitional year) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of independent practice.
• Option 3: Non‑U.S. residency training followed by at least three years of verified independent practice in the U.S. under a full and unrestricted license.
• Resident physicians enrolled in ACGME/AOA programs who otherwise meet the basic requirements may be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians, may be appointed on an intermittent basis, and are not considered independent practitioners.
• PRPs may perform certain restricted duties under supervision.
• Surgeon residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs.
• In rare circumstances a memorandum may be submitted to the VISN Director for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred experience: Board certification in General Adult Psychiatry with additional qualifications in Addiction Psychiatry by ABPN.
• Experience in Veteran care preferred.
• Reference: For more information, visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
• Physical requirements: the physician must be mobile to sit, walk, stand, and bend.
• Selected applicant will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• The job is primarily sedentary and requires sitting, walking, standing, and bending.
• Incumbent must respond with time‑sensitive reports while balancing multiple competing demands.
• Work is performed in a well‑lit, climate‑controlled office or home space.

Duties

• Provide outpatient psychiatric management for a diverse veteran population, including geriatric and post‑deployment combat veterans in the SUD Clinic.
• Act as liaison between colleagues in the SUD specialty care clinic and the outpatient mental health clinic.
• Conduct history and physical examinations, including mental status examinations, intake assessments, substance use disorder assessments, suicide risk assessments, crisis intervention, and overall care of patients with psychiatric disorders.
• Provide diagnostic evaluation in complex cases that may include SUD, comorbid mental health disorders, co‑occurring chronic pain, and possible opioid use disorder.
• Collaborate effectively as a member of the SUD Clinic multidisciplinary team during meetings, treatment planning conferences, and SUD‑specific committees, enhancing coordination of comprehensive patient care.
• Provide in‑service education for the SUD Clinic team.
• Maintain collegial professional relationships with physicians in all clinical services in the health system.
• Practice independently, utilizing initiative and independent judgment in day‑to‑day activities.
• Manage medications including buprenorphine, naltrexone, and others for substance use disorders.
• Coordinate consults and triage of specialty clinic referrals.
• Ensure practice of psychiatric medicine is consistent with TJC, HIPAA, VA policies, procedures, clinical practice guidelines, national statutes, and regulations, and mandatory continuing education.
• Work schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Contact Information

• Monique Head – EDRP Coordinator – [e-mail] – for questions or assistance.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary with annual performance bonus and regular salary increases.
• Paid time off: 50‑55 days per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and up to 5 days for CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% employer contributions.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
• Licensure: Must hold one full and unrestricted license from any U.S. State or territory.
• CME: 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.