Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan repayment program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval, including award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years), is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services after review of the 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 licensing may be tentatively referred and selected but cannot be hired until all requirements are met. Current VA-employed physicians who met the initial appointment requirements are deemed to have met the basic requirements.

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed if qualified citizens are unavailable, per VA Policy.
• Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree from an approved school.
• Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a US State, Territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Residency Training: Completion of an approved residency program leading to eligibility for board certification. Residency must be approved by the VA or equivalent, including non-US programs with at least five years of verified practice in the US.
• Residents in accredited programs may be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs) on an intermittent or fee basis, with specific scope of practice and supervision.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Board Certified or Board Eligible in Psychiatry.
• Preferred: Three years of mental health clinical leadership experience.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to perform long periods of walking, standing, and sitting; exposure to infected patients and hazardous materials; ability to work under stress and shift priorities.

Duties

• Offer a comprehensive rewards package including sign-on bonus, student loan repayment, and competitive salary with performance bonuses.
• Provide clinical care, administrative leadership, and program management for the Mental Health Service.
• Serve as Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) of Mental Health, overseeing clinical and administrative operations, including program development, policy implementation, and quality assurance.
• Collaborate with VA and military health partners, ensuring compliance with standards and regulations.
• Lead efforts in emergency response planning, access improvement, and staff development.
• Engage in hands-on clinical work, research, and training of residents and trainees.