The Chief of Behavioral Health Service Line (BHSL)/Psychiatrist Program Manager is a full-time position assigned the responsibility and oversight of the BHSL management team for the professional practice of all clinical and administrative staff. The incumbent will perform assignments that are collateral to primary duties deemed necessary to meet the needs of the organization, VISN and VACO.
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. Preferred Experience: Four years experience in specialty, three years experience in leadership (VA/DOD). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position may involve standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. The work may involve going up and down flights of stairs.
The Chief of the BHSL makes independent professional decisions and recommendations to the Chief of Staff (COS). Incumbent serves as a liaison to other Service or care-lines within the organization related to BHSL. The Chief of BHSL will provide management and supervision to various clinical staff and clinical operations within the BHSL. The incumbent must be licensed in a state at the advanced practice level and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. The Chief of BHSL should have at least four years in an area of specialized psychiatry practice in mental/behavioral health. The incumbent is accountable for the assessment of the health care delivery system that is impacted by BH services, as well as for developing a plan for the delivery of health care services to patients, consistent with the policies and guidelines of the Veterans Health Administration. The Chief, BHSL establishes a climate within BHSL that promotes optimal patient care. The Chief, BHSL actively participates in top level decision making and policy design that impact the BHSL. Participation is through collaboration with the Medical Center leadership, other service chiefs, and interdepartmental supervisors and staff. The Chief, BHSL directs his/her health care program, delegating authority and responsibility, to meet both medical center and service level goals. The incumbent coordinates BHSL programming implementation within multiple clinical services across all campus locations within the FVACHCS, including but not limited to Social Work, Psychology, Psychiatry and other mental health providers as needed. The incumbent may provide, monitor and supervise clinical interventions to Veteran populations served by each program. Administrative Functions & Responsibilities The Chief, Behavioral Health Service Line has responsibility, accountability and oversight for programs and personnel under his/her supervision including the provision of quality care which complies with accepted standards of clinical practice. The incumbent is responsible for performance improvement, customer service/patient satisfaction, patient and employee safety, recruitment and retention, employee relations, standards of care and practice, the work environment, and accreditation and regulatory standards. He/She actively develops and manages collaborative partnerships. He/She works in partnership with the union and adheres to EEO principles. The incumbent supports facility and service initiatives, including cultural transformation and patient centered care. Clinical Responsibilities Independently provides Psychiatric assessment and diagnostic services for Veterans with a broad range of psychopathology receiving care within the clinic setting. Demonstrates expertise in using and teaching medication management for these disorders. Provides education to both patients and family members regarding relevant mental health concerns. Adheres to all Facility and Service Line policies and practices for delivering clinical care, including but not limited to suicide risk reduction practices, timeliness of care and access standards, professional conduct requirements, and CPRS documentation conventions. All other duties assigned. The Chief of BHSL is under the direct supervision of the Chief of Staff and/or the Chief of Staff's Designee who has the authority to complete the performance appraisal. It is the incumbent's responsibility to solicit consultation as appropriate. The Chief of BHSL's ongoing performance will be reviewed through direct supervision, reports, review of work, and information from others such as the VA facility leadership team and department leaders. The incumbent may seek consultation from other Clinical Chiefs, Clinical Center Managers, Regional Counsel, Business Services, Fiscal and Human Resource Management Services, for unusual and/or complex administrative and clinical complications. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. 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 Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM