Physician Assistant Behavioral Medicine (.8 FTE)

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Des Moines University invites a Physician Assistant to join its Behavioral Health team in an academic clinic setting. You will provide evidence-based psychiatric care to adult patients under the supervision of a board-certified psychiatrist, conduct comprehensive evaluations, manage medications, and facilitate group medical visits as part of an integrated care model.

You will also play a key role as a clinical preceptor for PA students and other learners, contribute to teaching activities, and

Qualifications

• At least three years of clinical PA experience with at least one year in behavioral health.
• Current Iowa PA licensure and ability to obtain/maintain DEA and CSA certifications.
• Current BLS and Mandatory Reporter certifications or ability to attain within one month of hire.
• Postgraduate training in psychiatry/behavioral medicine preferred (fellowship/residency-style program).
• CAQ in Psychiatry preferred.
• Eligible to obtain provider enrollment and credentialing with Medicare/Medicaid within 60 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct psychiatric care via comprehensive evaluations, diagnosis, and medication management for adults under supervision.
• Serve as clinical preceptor for PA students and learners, including case reviews and teaching activities.
• Contribute to documentation accuracy, interprofessional collaboration, and quality improvement initiatives.

Skills

Clinical PA experience

Behavioral health

DEA certification

BLS certification

Mandatory Reporter

CAQ Psychiatry

Provider enrollment/credentialing

Job description

Join a collaborative academic behavioral health team dedicated to delivering high-quality, patient-centered psychiatric care. In this role, you will provide evidence-based mental health services to adult patients within an academic clinic environment, working under the supervision of a board-certified psychiatrist. The position includes conducting comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, managing medications, and facilitating group medical visits while contributing to an integrated care model. You will also play an important role in the educational mission of the clinic by supporting the training and mentorship of health professions students, helping shape the next generation of clinicians while delivering compassionate, effective care.

What You’ll Do

• Provide direct psychiatric patient care by conducting comprehensive evaluations, ongoing diagnostic assessments, and medication management for adult patients, while developing individualized treatment plans in collaboration with a supervising psychiatrist and interdisciplinary care team.
• Support the academic mission of the clinic by serving as a clinical preceptor for PA students, medical students, and other learners, offering case review, supervision, and occasional participation in lectures or clinical teaching activities.
• Contribute to a high-performing clinical environment through accurate and compliant documentation, interprofessional collaboration, participation in quality improvement initiatives, and completion of all required university and clinical training.

What We Are Looking For

• At least three years of clinical experience as a PA and at least one year in behavioral health.
• Current certification/licensure as a physician assistant within the State of Iowa.
• Current DEA and CSA certification or ability to attain.
• Current BLS certification and Mandatory Reporter certification or ability to attain within one month of hire.
• Additional postgraduate training in psychiatry or behavioral medicine preferred (e.g., fellowship, residency-style program, formal internship, or structured advanced clinical training).
• CAQ in Psychiatry preferred.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain active provider enrollment and credentialing with commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid insurance payers or ability to obtain within 60 days of hire.

Total Rewards

DMU offers competitive salaries. For this position, we anticipate a starting salary within the range of low to mid-$90,000’s. However, the final offered salary will be commiserate with the qualifications and experiences of the selected candidate.

• Qualified faculty and staff enjoy a generous employer contribution towards the medical plan, 10% retirement match, flexible work arrangements, community service time, tuition assistance, professional development funding, and access to wellness facilities with programs that promote a well-balanced lifestyle.
• DMU is proud to offer employees generous benefits and perks, paid time off, free use of wellness facilities, and a host of employee engagement and recognition programs throughout the year.

Visit www.dmu.edu/employment to learn more about our benefits.

About

Founded in 1898, Des Moines University is a premier medical and health sciences institution comprising three colleges– College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, and College of Health Sciences – offering ten graduate degree programs.

Our mission is to improve lives in our global community by educating diverse groups of highly competent and compassionate health professionals.

It is an exciting time to join DMU. In 2023, we relocated our primary academic and operational offices to a new 88-acre campus in West Des Moines, Iowa, while maintaining an active clinic on our former campus. This state-of-the‑art campus includes technology-rich, flexible education spaces that support innovative teaching methods and connect faculty and students across all of our programs. Our new research facilities include a vibrant and spacious open laboratory, designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

DMU enhances our community’s quality of life by educating outstanding health professionals and leaders; providing expert, compassionate patient care; serving the community in diverse ways; and stimulating the central Iowa community.

At DMU you will make a meaningful contribution to the dynamic future of Medicine and Health Sciences by supporting a diverse community of faculty and staff with programs and services across the employee lifecycle.

Department: Behavioral Health

Status: Exempt