Physician-Psychiatrist-SUD

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Augusta (GA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on Bonus

EDRP (Education Debt Reduction Program

Paid Time Off

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Augusta, GA seeks a SUD Psychiatrist to provide psychiatric care and medication-assisted treatment for Veterans with substance use disorders.

The role involves collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to deliver recovery-oriented care and ensure documentation per VA standards. The position offers the opportunity to work within an outpatient SUD clinic, with emphasis on evidence-based treatment, risk assessment, and coordination of individualized care

Qualifications

• Must be a US citizen.
• MD or equivalent in allopathic/osteopathic medicine.
• Current full and unrestricted medical license in the US.
• Residency/fellowship in an approved program leading to board eligibility.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychiatric care and MAT for Veterans with SUD and co-occurring conditions.
• Collaborate with psychologists, social workers, addiction therapists, nurses.
• Perform comprehensive psychiatric evaluations for SUD patients.
• Initiate and manage pharmacologic treatments including buprenorphine.
• Coordinate treatment planning and case reviews with the SUD team.

Skills

MD expertise

Interdisciplinary collaboration

MAT management

English proficiency

Education

MD degree

Residency in core specialty

Board eligibility/certification

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
• Preferred Experience: Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019
• This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health
• This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs. - carrying objects up to 15 lbs. - frequent reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - hands and legs - use of cranes and motor vehicles - walking & standing up to 8 hours - bending and climbing and able to hear whisper
• The incumbent must be physically - emotionally and mentally stable in order to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.

Duties

• Major Duties and Responsibilities: The SUD Psychiatrist is a core member of the interdisciplinary substance use treatment team - responsible for the psychiatric care and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) of Veterans with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions
• The psychiatrist works closely with psychologists - social workers - addiction therapists - peer specialists - and nursing staff to deliver evidence-based - recovery-oriented care
• Key duties include but are not limited to: Conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations for Veterans with substance use disorders - including assessment of co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions
• Initiate and manage pharmacologic treatments - including buprenorphine and other MAT options - in accordance with VA policy and clinical guidelines
• Provide integrated care for Veterans with dual diagnoses - including mood - anxiety - trauma-related - and psychotic disorders
• Collaborate closely with the interdisciplinary SUD team to coordinate individualized treatment planning and progress monitoring
• Participate in group or individual psychiatric follow-up as clinically indicated
• Complete all documentation requirements in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) in accordance with VA standards
• Provide consultation to other providers and teams on the diagnosis and management of substance use and co-occurring disorders
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings - case reviews - and clinical huddles to support integrated treatment delivery
• Monitor patient safety and contribute to suicide prevention practices through risk assessments - safety planning - and appropriate care coordination
• Remain informed of and compliant with all relevant VA policies - federal regulations - and Joint Commission standards
• Work Environment and Supervision: The SUD Psychiatrist works within a multidisciplinary team located in the outpatient substance use clinic
• The psychiatrist exercises independent clinical judgment in their area of practice and is supervised by the Psychiatry Section Chief (or designee)
• They are ultimately accountable to the Chief - Mental Health
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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 Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM - or as determined.