Physician (Psychiatrist)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Chelsea (ME); On-site; USD 210,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a psychiatrist to provide outpatient psychiatry services within the VA Maine Healthcare System, including coverage at Togus and multiple CBOCs. The role supports inpatient units, PTSD and addiction programs, and an active education program for students and residents.

The position emphasizes English proficiency, board eligibility or certification, and compliance with VA training requirements, with a Monday–Friday daytime schedule.

Qualifications

• United States citizenship (or VA policy for non‑citizens)
• MD or DO degree in medicine
• Full and unrestricted medical license in the U.S.
• Residency training leading to board eligibility
• Physician Resident Providers option for PRPs (if applicable)
• Proficiency in spoken and written English

Responsibilities

• Provide psychiatric care in the outpatient Mental Health Clinic at the VA Maine Healthcare System.
• Serve patients at the Togus campus and CBOCs in Bangor, Portland, and other locations.
• Deliver inpatient and specialized programs (20–24 bed unit, PTSD, addiction services, IPC, MHICM, internship/education programs).
• Collaborate on research projects with other sites and expand research activity.
• Teach medical students, residents, and trainees.
• Maintain a Monday–Friday schedule 07:30 a.m.–04:00 p.m.

Skills

English proficiency

Board certification preferred

Education

MD or DO

Job description

Overview

Summary: The 2‑page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series and therefore CVs will continue to be required and accepted.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position you must meet the basic requirements listed below, as well as any additional requirements specified in the job announcement. Applicants who are 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 requisition requirements 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 (MD) or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine.
• Degree obtained from a VA‑approved school in the year the study was completed.
• Full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth or the District of Columbia.
• Residency training completed in an accredited core specialty training program that leads to eligibility for board certification, as approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
  • (1) Residency or fellowship approved by ACGME or AOA.
  • (2) One year of internship or transitional residency approved by ACGME/AOA, followed by two years of independent practice.
  • (3) Non‑U.S. residency training followed by at least three years of verified independent practice in the U.S.
• Residents currently enrolled in accredited residency programs who would otherwise meet the basic requirements may be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; they perform restricted duties under supervision.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred: Board certified in psychiatry.
• Physical requirements per VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychiatric care in the outpatient Mental Health Clinic at the VA Maine Healthcare System (VAMHS).
• Serve patients at the Togus campus and at Community‑Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) located in Bangor, Portland, Saco, Rumford, Calais, Lincoln, Lewiston‑Auburn, Caribou and other established CBOCs.
• Deliver services such as a 20‑bed (potentially 24‑bed) locked inpatient unit; Post‑Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) program; addiction services program; Integrated Primary Care (IPC) team; Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM) team; a psychology training program with interns and post‑doctoral residents; Compensation and Pension mental health evaluations; and an active tele‑mental health program.
• Participate in collaborative research projects with other research sites, with expectations for increased research activity.
• Collaborate with the VAMHS Associate Chief of Staff for Education to teach medical students, psychiatry residents, social workers, interns, licensed clinical professional counselors (LCPCs), and other trainees.
• Maintain the work schedule of Monday through Friday, 07:30 a.m. to 04:00 p.m.

Benefits and Compensation

• Competitive salary with annual performance bonus and regular salary increases.
• Paid Time Off: 50‑55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and up to 5 days paid absence for CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension with 5‑year vesting and a federal 401(k) plan with up to 5% VA contributions.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care plans (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) eligibility with reimbursement for student loan repayment.
• Possible reimbursement of up to $1,000 per year for full‑time board‑certified providers.
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
• No physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.
• Full and unrestricted licensure from any U.S. State or territory required for licensure.

Additional Information

• Bargaining unit: AFGE Bargaining Unit position.