Physician-Psychiatrist (BHIP)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Augusta (GA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Paid Time Off: 50-55 days

Education Debt Reduction Program

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a qualified Physician to provide comprehensive psychiatric services for Veterans. Responsibilities include conducting psychiatric evaluations, providing treatments, and engaging in care coordination with a multidisciplinary team.

The ideal candidate will have a Doctor of Medicine degree, relevant residency experience, and an unrestricted medical license in the U.S. The position offers competitive pay, a robust benefits package, and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Must have a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States.
• Completed residency training in an accredited core specialty program.
• Experience providing psychiatric care in a comprehensive setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and treatments.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings for case coordination.
• Engage in suicide prevention and risk reduction practices.

Skills

Proficiency in spoken and written English

Experience in psychiatric services

Ability to coordinate care

Conduct psychiatric evaluations

Education

Doctor of Medicine or equivalent

Job description

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2026. The initial cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications and subsequent cut‑off dates are on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as‑needed basis until positions are filled.

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 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 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
• (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 accrediting bodies for graduate medical education – the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) – in the list published for the year the residency – or fellowship if applicable – was completed
• OR (2) 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 (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States
• OR (3) 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 towards this requirement) – 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
• Exceptions: 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 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
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position – with or without reasonable accommodation – without hazard to themselves or others
• Depending on the essential duties of a specific position – usable vision – color vision – hearing or speech may be required
• However – in most cases – a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid

Benefits

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Authorized for highly qualified candidates
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): 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 401K 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
• 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

Duties

• The BHIP Psychiatrist serves as a core member of a multidisciplinary mental health team providing comprehensive psychiatric services to Veterans enrolled in the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP)
• The psychiatrist will be responsible for the assessment – diagnosis – treatment – and coordination of care for patients with a wide range of psychiatric disorders
• Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations (including history – mental status exam – diagnosis – and treatment planning)
• Provide ongoing pharmacologic and non‑pharmacologic treatment for mental health conditions within the psychiatrist's scope of practice
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to review cases and coordinate care
• Serve as the prescribing provider for a panel of Veterans enrolled in BHIP – collaborating with other team members (psychologists – social workers – nurses – peer support specialists – etc.) to ensure high‑quality – Veteran‑centered care
• Document clinical care in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) in a timely – accurate – and professional manner in accordance with VA policy
• Provide clinical consultation to other staff as needed
• Support measurement‑based care and population health strategies – including responding to clinical alerts – abnormal screenings – and patient‑reported outcomes
• Engage in suicide prevention and risk reduction practices – including completion of Suicide Risk Assessments – Safety Plans – and appropriate documentation
• Maintain compliance with all applicable VA policies – Joint Commission standards – and professional practice standards
• Participate in peer review – quality improvement – and other professional activities as assigned
• Work Environment and Supervision: The position is primarily outpatient and located within a BHIP team
• While the psychiatrist functions with considerable independence – they report directly to the Psychiatry Section Chief (or designee) and are ultimately accountable to the Chief – Mental Health Service
• Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday – 8:00am‑4:30pm or as determined