Podiatrist (Program Manager) - Outpatient Mental Health Section

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The VA Puget Sound Health Care System's American Lake division seeks a Podiatrist to serve as Section Director and OMH Director for the Mental Health Service Line in Tacoma. The role includes supervisory responsibility for staff and complex administrative duties within the outpatient mental health program.

Applicants must meet the basic requirements: DPM degree from an approved school, VA-approved residency, full podiatry license in the US or DC, board certification in Psychiatry (ABPN), and

Qualifications

• DPM degree from an approved school.
• Completed or currently completing a VA-approved residency leading to board eligibility.
• Full and unrestricted podiatry license in the United States or DC.
• Current board certification in Psychiatry by the ABPN.

Responsibilities

• Supervision of staff and administrative responsibilities within the OMH program.
• Leadership of the Outpatient Mental Health program in the Mental Health Service Line.

Skills

English language proficiency

Education

Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree

VA-approved podiatry residency

State license to practice podiatry

Board certification in Psychiatry (ABPN)

Job description

As Section Director for the Outpatient Mental Health (OMH) program at the American Lake division of VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS), Tacoma, the podiatrist serves as the Director OMH for the Mental Health Service Line. The podiatrist has supervisory responsibility for subordinates. Responsibilities include the supervision of staff, professional management, and administrative responsibilities that are complex in scope. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Podiatrist Basic Requirements

• Degree as a doctor of podiatric medicine, or its equivalent, from a school of podiatric medicine approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Approved schools are United States schools of podiatric medicine approved by the Council on Podiatry Education of the American Podiatry Association in the year in which the degree was granted. ~AND~
• Completed, or currently completing, residency training, or its equivalent, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. VA Podiatrists involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status. Approved residencies are:
  • Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education, the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, in the list published for the year the residency was completed, or
  • Other residencies and training experiences, or their equivalents, which the local Professional Standards Board determines to have provided an applicant with appropriate professional training. ~AND~
• Currently hold, or will hold, a full and unrestricted license to practice Podiatry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia.
• Current board certification in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
• English Language Proficiency. Podiatrists appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7402(d), 7407(d).

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements

There are no physical requirements for this occupation per OCHCO Communications email to VA Handbook 5019, updated on 4/17/2026.