Physician (Psychiatry) - EDRP Eligible

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Temple (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with annual performance bonus

Paid Time Off: up to 55 days per year

Federal health and dental insurance

$1,000 annual CME reimbursement

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Temple, Texas, seeks a staff psychiatrist to provide mental health services to veterans. This role involves conducting psychiatric evaluations, therapeutic interventions, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.

Ideal candidates should have a degree in medicine, unrestricted practice license, and experience with evidence-based psychiatric care. Benefits include competitive salary, generous paid time off, and various health insurance options.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Experience in outpatient mental health care preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychiatric evaluations for veterans.
• Provide therapeutic interventions including medication management.
• Collaborate in a multidisciplinary team for patient care.

Skills

Evidence-based medicine principles

Telehealth modalities

Psychiatric practice

Buprenorphine certification

Team collaboration

Education

Degree of doctor of medicine or equivalent

Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice

Residency training

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval – award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

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. HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements. Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment.

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 from an approved VA school.
• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Residency training: Physicians must have completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, leading to eligibility for board certification.
• OR 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 independent practice.
• OR non‑U.S. residency training followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States.
• Residents currently enrolled in accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements are eligible for appointment as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs).
• PRPs must be fully licensed physicians and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis.
• PRPs are not independent practitioners and will not be privileged; they have a scoped practice allowing certain restricted duties under supervision.
• Surgeon residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs.
• In rare circumstances, the Facility Director may submit a memo to the VISN Director seeking an exception to the residency requirement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred Experience: ABPN Board Certified/Board Eligible in Psychiatry; experience providing care through Telehealth modalities.
• Participation as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team providing a full range of mental health services to patients.
• Demonstrates a high level of psychiatric practice using evidence‑based medicine principles for patients with complex illnesses.
• Buprenorphine certification and treatment experience.
• Physical Requirements: The position may require long periods of light lifting under 15 pounds, hand‑over‑hand pulling for up to one hour, use of fingers, both hands required, near vision corrected to 13–16 LoC to Jaeger 1–4, hearing (aid may be permitted), and emotional and mental stability.

Benefits

• 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 for CME).
• Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care insurance (many programs can be carried into retirement).
• Full and unrestricted license from any U.S. State or territory required.
• %1,000 per year reimbursement for Continuing Medical Education (full‑time board‑certified clinicians).
• Free liability protection with tail coverage; no employment contract restrictions and no limits on moonlighting.
• EDRP authorized; former EDRP participants are ineligible.

Duties

• Serve as a staff psychiatrist within Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, assigned to the Temple MHBM Service.
• Perform psychiatric evaluations for veterans in the outpatient mental health clinic, addressing a wide range of issues including personality, emotional adjustment, mental illness, homelessness, unemployment, and poor family support.
• Provide therapeutic interventions: diagnostic assessment, medication management, suicide risk assessment, crisis intervention, and overall care of patients with psychiatric disorders.
• Use evidence‑based pharmacological interventions to reduce psychiatric symptoms and improve interpersonal functioning and overall mental health.
• Ensure practice aligns with TJC, CARF, HIPAA, VA policies and procedures, clinical practice guidelines, national statutes, medical record documentation, and mandatory continuing education.
• Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, social workers, licensed counselors, nurses, and peer support specialists; participate in team meetings and treatment planning conferences; collaborate to enhance comprehensive patient care.
• Order diagnostic tests and consultations; interpret findings and make appropriate treatment decisions.
• Participate in teaching and supervising residents and medical students.
• Provide psychiatric care via face‑to‑face encounters or VA Video Connect; perform other directly related clinical duties as assigned.
• Work schedule: Monday–Friday 07:30–16:00 (options include 08:00–16:30 or 08:30–17:00).