Physician - Psychiatry (Section Chief)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive total rewards package

Generous paid time off

Malpractice liability coverage

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in North Charleston, SC is seeking a qualified Psychiatrist to deliver mental health care to veterans. The role involves conducting psychiatric evaluations, providing therapy, and ensuring adherence to medical standards while working collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.

Applicants must hold a Doctor of Medicine degree and a current unrestricted medical license. The position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for continued education and training.

Qualifications

• Must have residency training in an accredited core specialty.
• Proficient in spoken and written English.
• Physical demands include light lifting and handling stressful situations.

Responsibilities

• Perform psychiatric evaluations for diverse populations.
• Provide therapeutic interventions and medication management.
• Ensure compliance with VA policies and clinical guidelines.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings.

Skills

Psychiatric evaluations

Therapeutic interventions

Crisis intervention

English proficiency

Education

Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree

Current full and unrestricted medical license

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program – 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 and any additional requirements listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending 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
• Prime: 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: The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking - sitting - talking - driving - use of the telephone - etc
• Strenuous physical activity is not required although the incumbent is expected to withstand pressure and stress as part of their day-to-day activities
• There is ongoing exposure to individuals having psychiatric and physical illness and disabilities
• These include violent or aggressive behavior and chronic psychiatric and medical problems
• Light lifting - under 15 pounds - Light carrying - under 15 pounds - Hearing (aid permitted).

Responsibilities

• Performs psychiatric evaluations for a diverse population – including geriatric and post deployment combat Veterans – who are mentally ill and have psychosocial issues such as homelessness – unemployment – and poor family support network
• Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions including diagnostic assessment, medication evaluation and management, suicide risk assessments, crisis intervention, and overall care of patients with psychiatric disorders
• Ensures practice of psychiatric medicine is consistent with TJC, CARF, HIPAA, VA policies and procedures, clinical practice guidelines, national statutes and regulations, medical record documentation, and mandatory continuing education
• Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including assessment and the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care
• The psychiatrist may serve as a mental health team leader with responsibilities for coordinating consults and triage of specialty clinic referrals
• Participates effectively in team meetings and treatment planning conferences and collaborates with multidisciplinary team members that enhances coordination of comprehensive patient care
• Orders diagnostic tests and consultations and discriminates between normal and abnormal findings and makes appropriate treatment decisions
• May participate in supervision and teaching in support of the psychiatric residency program – performs on-call duties – and performs other directly related duties as assigned
• Areas which the psychiatrist is assigned and has clinical privileges to practice may include depression, anxiety, psychosis, PTSD, substance abuse, and other psychiatric disorders in various clinical settings (outpatient – inpatient – ED)
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm (Subject to change based on agency needs)

Benefits

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment)
• 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 401(k) with up to 5% contribution 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
• Contact: [e-mail]