Career Center

Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below.

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 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
• Additional Requirement: Board certified or board eligible in psychiatry
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Applicants must meet physical standards for the position
• A physical examination prior to placement is required
• This is a designated drug testing position
• After appointment - you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use
• Requires lifting 15-44 pounds
• pushing (approx
• 2 hours)
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers and both hands
• walking and standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Hearing aid is permitted.

Duties

• **This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 1st - 2025
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be October 7th - 2025 - with subsequent cut-off dates every 2 weeks
• Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.** VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact V21CCOEEDRP@VA.GOV - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 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 The Psychiatrist in Compensation and Pension (C&P) and Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (MHRRTPs) is responsible for the evaluation of Veterans and Service Members who have filed VA Disability claims
• The incumbent will be located at VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS)
• In addition to providing C&P Services - this position may also include collateral duties within the MHRRTPs which can include evaluation and management of Veterans who are referred to and admit to MHRRTPs located at the Menlo Park and Palo Alto Division of VAPAHCS
• Major duties include but are not limited to: Clinical: Evaluates Veterans and Service Members who have filed VA Disability claims with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and/or Service Members being evaluated under the VBA/DoD Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES)
• This includes interview and examination - medical record review - medical opinion formulation - and completion of Disability Benefit Questionnaires (DBQs) utilizing the CAPRI software application while adhering to Federal regulations governing VA Disability Claims and meeting timeliness and quality standards
• Providers must meet and maintain C&P TMS Certification requirements in order to work in this position
• Acts as Attending Psychiatrist for Veterans admitted to the MHRRTPs
• Performs psychiatric evaluations - risk assessments - psychiatric holds - and ongoing pharmacological management of all Veterans referred to and admitted to the MHRRTPs for psychiatric - SUD and PTSD related illnesses
• Collaborates with and provides training to program staff and other health care providers - as needed
• Practices safety - environmental - and/or infection control methods
• Provides on-call services - coverage - and other duties as needed
• Administrative: Establishes an environment conducive to accountable - professional practice - treating all employees in a fair - objective manner
• Functions collaboratively keeping supervisor and the MHRRTP Director appraised of all critical incidents - the program's changing needs - staff issues/concerns - proposing needed changes in operating procedures and policies for review in consultation with leadership
• Remains knowledgeable about current Joint Commission standards - current VHA policies and current VHA clinical practice guidelines and those of other relevant oversight groups and assists with policy and procedure development needed to insure compliance
• Serves on Medical Center or Healthcare System - VISN - and/or National VA committees or task forces as needed.