Physician - Psychiatrist (Mental Health Residential ...

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - 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 determines award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office 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 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 physicians 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. 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. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Additional requirement: Board certified or board eligible in psychiatry. Physical requirements: Applicants must meet physical standards for the position, including a physical examination prior to placement, drug testing, and the ability to lift 15–44 pounds, push, reach above shoulder, use both hands, walk and stand 3–5 hours, kneel, and coordinate rapid mental and muscular actions. Depth perception and color discrimination are required; hearing aid is permitted. Additional Information: The position is a designated drug testing position and will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use after appointment. Duties This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 11 May 2026. The initial cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications is 16 March 2026, with subsequent cut‑off dates every two weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Work Schedule: Full‑time (schedule will be determined by supervisor). Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 50–55 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays, and possible 5 days paid CME absence). Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % VA contribution. Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). Licensure: One full and unrestricted license from any U.S. 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. Clinical: Acts as attending psychiatrist for veterans admitted to the MHRRTPs; performs psychiatric evaluations and risk assessments; manages pharmacological treatment for psychiatric, SUD, and PTSD related illnesses; orders and interprets labs, tests, and diagnostic studies; ensures compliance with VA Palo Alto physician bylaws; evaluates patients in residential, outpatient, inpatient, and emergency settings; supervises trainees; provides didactic training; collaborates with co‑attending psychiatrists for continuity of care; consults and liaises with nursing staff regarding medically supervised withdrawals; provides advanced de‑escalation, behavioral intervention, and motivational enhancement; administers 5150 holds; trains program staff; consults other services (addiction treatment, acute care, inpatient mental health, emergency, residential rehabilitation, etc.); provides patient and family education; maintains a collaborative environment with the supervisor and MHRRTP Director; remains knowledgeable about Joint Commission standards, VHA policies and guidelines; serves on medical center or healthcare system committees as needed; exemplifies ICARE core values. For more information about this qualification standard visit J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2026-03-18