The Birmingham VA Health Care System is recruiting for a Deputy Chief Psychiatrist in Mental Health Service Line (MHSL).This position will be located in Huntsville, AL with supervisory responsibility of staff at multiple Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).
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: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); Light Carrying (under 15 pounds); Walking (up to 1 hour); Standing (up to 1 hour); Hearing aid permitted. Ability to perform rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing (aid permitted); emotional/mental stability.
The incumbent has programmatic responsibilities for the delivery of mental health services at all CBOCs. The Deputy Chief Psychiatrist reports to the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) Mental Health for all clinical, administrative, and quality performance matters. The incumbent assists the ACOS with management of the MHSL including assessing program needs, allocating resources effectively and efficiently while monitoring their use, working with program managers to develop policies and procedures which are fitted to the needs of each program, and facilitating communication between MHSL programs, among other duties assigned by the ACOS. This position provides direct supervision to a group of staff who provide support to the MHSL. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized 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 Duties include, but are not limited to: Serves on a variety of medical center planning committees, advisory groups and chartered action teams. Oversees clinical and administrative performance measures. Assists with service line strategic planning and resource management. Assist with developing formal, systematic improvement plans for quality measures, access and medical services delivery. Supports liaison with affiliated schools regarding medical teaching issues and provider appointments. Oversees the management of Veteran complaints and issues. Contributes to the development of program goals and objectives to meet VHA Mental Health requirements. Participates in performance appraisals of staff and addresses disciplinary issues. Participates in clinical teaching as assigned. Assists in overseeing appropriate training related to MH issues is completed for all Birmingham VA Healthcare System staff involved in patient care activities. Contributes to the development of Mental Health Service policies and procedures. Supervises the hiring of professional mental health staff. Directly supervises both clinical and administrative personnel. Interviews and selects candidates for staff positions (in coordination with appropriate Discipline Leads, where appropriate), and makes recommendations for appointment, promotion and reassignment. Provides evaluation to program personnel via either direct evaluation, evaluation of leaders who directly evaluate subordinates, or in the case of professionals evaluated through a Discipline Lead process. Develops performance standards, or in the case of some professional level team members participates in the development thereof. Hears and resolves staff concerns and complaints. As appropriate, refers group grievances and unresolved serious complaints to top management and/or appropriate labor, EEO or other functions. Identifies developmental and training needs of staff members. Ensures appropriate access to necessary training and development opportunities. Advises the ACOS Mental Health in the development of plans for the ongoing provision of services provided in the program(s), and as may be appropriate throughout the Medical Center. Actively participates, as needed, in the provision of clinical care services within the incumbent's credentials, privileges, and/or scope of practice. Provides intervention and counseling to individual patients as needed in the course of resolving administrative matters within the program(s). As needed, with the assistance of other involved leaders, resolves work related interdisciplinary treatment concerns and problems of a complex clinical nature. Maintains a clinical caseload including individual medication management patients within the MHSL. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (subject to change based on the needs of the organization) Telework: AD-HOC only; agreement must be in place.