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) & 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 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.

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
• 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).

Duties

• This is an open continuous announcement
• Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available
• Applications will remain on file until September 30 - 2026
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN7EDRPFacilityCoordinators2@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 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 with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Major duties include - but are not limited to :- Providing short-notice and time-limited coverage across Ralph H
• Johnson outpatient clinics
• - Supporting urgent access needs - including same-day psychiatric evaluations - rapid consultations - and short-term follow-up appointments
• - Providing temporary coverage for outpatient mental health prescribing providers on brief leave (e.g. - 1-6 weeks) - such as during onboarding periods - or during unexpected staff vacancies
• - Delivering bridging care for Veterans awaiting assignment to a permanent mental health provider
• - Offering telehealth-based surge support when clinics experience sudden increases in demand or temporary operational disruptions
• - Conducting psychiatric evaluations
• developing and implementing treatment plans
• and providing ongoing clinical management for conditions such as PTSD - substance use disorders - depression - anxiety - bipolar disorder - psychosis - and other psychiatric conditions
• - Educating Veterans on risks - benefits - and alternatives of treatment options and ensuring questions are addressed
• - Providing clinical consultation to families/caregivers - mid-level providers - and other clinical staff regarding complex mental health conditions
• - Maintaining competency in telehealth technologies and applying these tools effectively across multiple outpatient settings
• Additional Description of Duties Major duties include - but are not limited to: - Providing short-notice and time-limited coverage across Ralph H
• Johnson outpatient clinics
• - Supporting urgent access needs - including same-day psychiatric evaluations - rapid consultations - and short-term follow-up appointments
• - Providing temporary coverage for outpatient mental health prescribing providers on brief leave (e.g. - 1-6 weeks) - such as during onboarding periods - or during unexpected staff vacancies
• - Delivering bridging care for Veterans awaiting assignment to a permanent mental health provider
• - Offering telehealth-based surge support when clinics experience sudden increases in demand or temporary operational disruptions
• - Conducting psychiatric evaluations
• developing and implementing treatment plans
• and providing ongoing clinical management for conditions such as PTSD - substance use disorders - depression - anxiety - bipolar disorder - psychosis - and other psychiatric conditions
• - Educating Veterans on risks - benefits - and alternatives of treatment options and ensuring questions are addressed
• - Providing clinical consultation to families/caregivers - mid-level providers - and other clinical staff regarding complex mental health conditions
• - Maintaining competency in telehealth technologies and applying these tools effectively across multiple outpatient settings
• Preferred Experience: 3-5 years of post-residency experience as a licensed psychiatrist
• Experience providing video-based tele-psychiatry services
• Experience working in a virtual team environment
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday
• 8:00am-4:30pm (Subject to change based on agency needs).