Physician - Psychiatry (Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Kalispell (MT); On-site; USD 240,000 - 340,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Federal pension

401(k) plan

CME reimbursement

Paid time off

Tail coverage (malpractice)

CBOP eligibility

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a qualified psychiatrist to provide outpatient psychiatric services, including telepsychiatry, in support of BHIP. The role involves prescriptive management and collaboration within the Psychiatry Service under VA guidelines.

Eligible for the CBOP program, the physician will be employed in a structured VA setting with standard federal benefits and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• US citizenship and medical license in good standing.
• MD or DO degree from an approved medical school.
• Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the US.
• residency training approved by VA or equivalent for eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Provide outpatient psychiatric services, including face-to-face and telepsychiatry.
• Perform psychopharmacology evaluation and medication management.
• Adhere to state/federal guidelines and approved privileges.

Skills

Psychiatry

Telepsychiatry

DSM-5 knowledge

Medical licensure

Education

MD / DO (Physician)

Tools

Electronic Health Records

Job description

Summary

Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP) – which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements, loan repayments, sign‑on bonus contracts, Physician‑owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years).

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.

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 degree resulting from education in allopathic or osteopathic medicine.
• The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year the course of study was completed.
• Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, 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.
• 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 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 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 under a full and unrestricted license performing duties related to the position.
• 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.
• PRPs 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

• Addiction Medicine (required ASAM certification).
• Neuromodulation: Experience or willingness to learn transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and/or Ketamine. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements

• Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.
• Potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing.
• Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided.
• Exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials; may require protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings.
• Occasional exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.
• Must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements such as annual TB screening or testing as a condition of employment.
• The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off‑site locations may be required to drive and or ride in GSA vehicles.

Duties

• NOTE: This announcement will remain open in USA Staffing until filled.
• The first round of application reviews will be conducted on or about 14 July 2026.
• DUTIES: The Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) psychiatrist will provide outpatient psychiatric services including face‑to‑face and telepsychiatry as well as provide medical care in accordance with the approved privileges and all applicable State and/or Federal guidelines in support of the Psychiatry Service.
• Procedure privileges include: psychopharmacology evaluation, prescription and medication management; telepsychiatry crisis intervention and referral to appropriate treatment settings; treatment of all psychiatric disorders listed in DSM‑5 with the exception of infancy, childhood, and adolescence; administration of medications including IM injections in emergent or urgent situations; and patients awaiting transfer to Sheridan or Decanoate injection for patients with psychotic disorder.
• Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday 08:00 am‑4:30 pm.

Compensation and Benefits

• 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, and possible 5 days 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 and board certified).
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided.
• Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.
• Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP). For additional information and eligibility requirements, contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at [e-mail].