The incumbent serves as Section Chief for Psychiatric Services and Medical Director for the Behavioral Health Service (BHS) at VAMC Spokane. In this role, incumbent serves as the senior physician, subject matter expert, and advisor to Chief of Behavioral Health Service in all matters related to psychiatric and medical care. 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 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 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), 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. 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 or fee-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. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Preferred Experience: Supervisory and veteran experience Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; light carrying, under 15 pounds; use of fingers; both hands required; ability to see computer screen; hearing (aid may be permitted); prolonged sitting (2+ hours). Environmental Factors: Working closely with others; working alone; protracted or irregular hours of work. ["Duties include but are not limited to: Providing clinical oversight of all psychiatric care at Mann Grandstaff VA Medical Center (MGVAMC). Coordinating and providing (directly and/or through subordinate supervisors) clinical oversight of all physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and para-professionals who provide or support provision of psychiatric care across the Behavioral Health Service (BHS). Coordinating and monitoring clinical training and development of psychiatry staff and those who support provision of psychiatric care. Assisting credentials office with privileging process for psychiatrists new to VAMC Spokane. Completing OPPE's and FPPE's for BHS physicians, ARNPs, and physician assistants. Monitoring and reporting to ACOS on the clinical competency of all those providing psychiatric care. Conducting or delegating to psychiatry staff protected peer reviews for identified cases. Developing and proposing systems for assessing and monitoring clinical outcomes for psychiatric care, as well as for improving clinical practices through outcome data. Collaborating closely with Chief for Psychology Section, Homeless Programs Section, and BHS program coordinators to assure that treatment planning and delivery throughout BHS is Veteran- centered, holistic, continuous, and thoroughly collaborative. Assisting ACOS with preparation of APU on-call schedule. Serving as liaison to other medical services, working to assure that mental health and medical care are integrative and complementary. Actively contributing to the training of psychiatry residents. Working with local training director and regional program director to develop and implement training rotations and/or electives that support the needs of residents as well as the strategic goals of the organization. Training and supervising psychiatry residents and, as appropriate, trainees of related disciplines. Coordinating and monitoring clinical training for those providing and supporting psychiatric care. Representing BHS, the Medical Center, and the VA in the community, at professional events, and in conferences or meetings with colleagues, staff from other disciplines, representatives of local public interest groups, congressional district offices, employees of State and local governments, or others. Serving on Medical Center, VISN, and/or VACO committees and task forces. Protecting printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Protecting the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Using word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text; formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e-mail. Using Cerner Oracle to access information in the Medical Center computer system. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with 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 complete review of the EDRP application. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM. Telework: Ad hoc telework may be available based on Service needs Virtual: This is not a virtual or remote position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. 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 VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards."]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
