Psychiatrist

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 – 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.
• Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine.
• Degree obtained from a school approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year of study completion.
• Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, or Commonwealth, or in the District of Columbia.
• Residency training: physicians must have completed a residency approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to board certification eligibility.
• Provided by an accredited program (ACGME or AOA) or one-year postoperative training followed by at least two years of independent practice, or non‑U.S. residency followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the U.S. under a full and unrestricted license.
• Residents currently enrolled in an accredited residency may be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs) under an intermittent basis with full licensure and a defined scope of practice.
• Practical experience considerations are subject to local Medical Staff Executive Committee discretion.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Additional requirement: board certification.
• Preferred experience: prior VA experience.
• Reference: for more information on this qualification standard – 
• Physical requirements: the incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction, including standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, turning, and stair use.

Duties

• Psychiatrists are expected to provide health‑care services to veteran patients enrolled at the Fayetteville VA Coastal Healthcare System at the Wilmington Health Care Center location in Wilmington, North Carolina.
• Services will be required from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays.
• Services include, but are not limited to, performing initial psychiatric evaluations, conducting medication‑management clinics, and providing treatment and management for general psychiatric problems on a predominantly outpatient basis.
• Conditions requiring ancillary services such as psychological evaluation, substance‑abuse treatment, psychotherapy for victims of sexual and/or combat‑related trauma, and other mental‑health conditions anticipated to respond to non‑pharmacological interventions will be referred to the Behavioral Health Service Line (BHSL) when appropriate.
• Conditions requiring specialty care will be referred to specialty clinics within the VA health‑care system.
• Physicians will not refer patients to outside providers unless reviewed for eligibility by Health Administration Staff and appropriately authorized.
• Treatment and professional duties are as outlined in the incumbent's clinical privileges, as noted in the credentialing process.
• Specific tasks: initial psychiatric evaluation to establish diagnosis and management plan, development of a treatment plan including medication management, ordering pertinent laboratory and radiology tests, and patient disposition.
• Obtain appropriate consultation from specialists/ancillary services and communicate pertinent medical information to other health‑care providers/institutions.
• Enter all diagnostic and treatment information, and related reports, into the computerized patient record system (CPRS) on the day of the visit.
• Documentation of health care provided, including all physician orders, must satisfy Department of Veterans Affairs and local VAMC policies and procedures, and meet external accreditation agency requirements for safe delivery of patient care.
• Physicians must possess computer skills to access CPRS as utilized by the VAMC; orientation to CPRS will be provided.
• Prescribe medications for patients according to the established drug formulary at this facility; deviations from the formulary are permitted only when clinically indicated and in compliance with established procedures.
• Perform services within VA policies and procedures and the regulations of the Medical Staff By‑Laws of the VAMC.
• Provide psychiatric consultation to other services at the VAMC and associated community clinics when required.
• Additional duties as assigned by the Assistant Chief of Psychiatry, Chief of Psychiatry, or Department Chief of BHSL.
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package including: Status: VHA Physician Total Rewards; recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus) for highly qualified candidates; relocation incentive for eligible candidates; EDRP authorization (former EDRP participants ineligible for incentive); contact the EDRP Coordinator – Cheryl Lahair ( ) for questions/assistance; learn more; 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 paid Federal holidays, and possible 5‑day paid absence for CME); 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; contract: no Physician Employment Contract and no restrictions on moonlighting; work schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.