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. 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. 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. Physical Requirements: In Accordance With VA Directive and Handbook 5019 ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@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 days of 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 Duties: Providing holistic, strength-based, person-centered mental health care to the panel of Veterans assigned. This includes but is not limited to medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders and psychiatric care for Veterans with an array of mental health diagnoses and trauma-related experiences. Working as a team member with other clinic staff (e.g., prescribers, therapists, and schedulers). Providing coverage to other prescribers when needed. Collaborating with other hospitals and MH&BS programs/staff to ensure holistic, patient-centered care. Demonstrating mastery of the theories, principles, concepts, and methodologies of clinical practice in psychiatry. Exercising judgment in the selection of and/or adaptation of standard and accepted theories, techniques, and practices in treating patients and prescribing medications. Completing all required clinical documentation, including progress notes, treatment plans, clinical reminders, History and Physical examinations, and various risk assessments in a timely fashion (per hospital and MH&BS SOPs) into electronic medical records. Completing forms, letters, and other documentation as required for Veterans. Providing clinical consultation as needed to colleagues. Attending team/clinic meetings, MHC staff meetings, and MH&BS general staff meetings. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Sustain collaborative working relationships with other staff, assist in resolving conflicts, and contribute to the accomplishment of the VISN and Medical Center strategic goals and performance measures Evidence by: visibly present at assigned committee meetings and positively contributing to these committees. Visibly works to efficiently use resources, as evidenced by applying systems redesign principles within their practice. Maintains open dialogue with the service line leadership regarding concerns/issues that must be addressed. Service: Works effectively within a team environment contributing to the effectiveness of the mental health clinic to deliver safe, cost-effective, quality, timely, and patient-focused care Evidence by: Visible evidence of fostering a positive team environment, regular participation in team meetings, feedback on customer service and patient correspondence. Medical practice exhibits sound medical practice and efficient use of Medical Center resources. Systems Thinking: Actively demonstrates the ability to understand the complexity of an integrated medical care delivery system and how change affects the system as a whole. Evidenced by: exhibited knowledge of actions impacting performance measures weight times patient satisfaction and improving access to care visible participation in systems improvement efforts within mental health clinic and larger MHMBS. Creative Thinking: Demonstrate the ability to think and act innovatively, looking beyond day-to-day operations. Evidenced by: proactive planning and challenging systems and processes to improve access to care and the care delivery process. Actively participates in performance improvement activities. Organizational Stewardship: Demonstrates the ability to work at all levels of the organization to achieve organizational goals such as improving primary access and care coordination, improving measures, reducing the length of stay, reducing hospital and admit admissions, and improving patient care outcomes. Evidenced by: Performance measures (e.g., clinical reminder reports, dashboard data, and readmission rates. Personal And Professional Development: Demonstrates the ability to recognize individual strengths and limitations by presenting improved professional and unique learning opportunities sponsored by the facility. Evidence by: Educational requirements Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
