The Alaska VA Healthcare System is recruiting for a Psychiatrist to perform duties (0.5 MTRRTP/0.5 SUD) at the VA hospital in Anchorage, Alaska. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. See "Duties" below for more details.
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: ABMS Board Certified/Eligible in Psychiatry Preferred Experience: One year of experience providing independent psychiatric care to adults preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Functional Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), moderate carrying, straight pulling, pulling hand over hand, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, repeated bending, both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted), emotional/mental stability
The incumbent practices as a Psychiatrist within the Mental Health Service, which is primarily located within the Social and Behavioral Health Service (S&BHS). Practice may also take place through Telemental Health Services, at the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Program (MHRRTP), or in Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's) around the state of Alaska. The Staff Psychiatrist has delineated clinical privileges granted by the Medical Executive Board. Direct clinical care duties and responsibilities (80% of position) include but are not limited to: a. Providing direct mental health services for VA patients 80% of total available clinic time or 32 hours per week, or as determined by the Chief of Psychiatry and/or the ACOS, Mental Health; b. Conducting history and mental status exams on assigned patients; c. Completing intake assessments and formulating diagnoses; d. Developing, documenting and updating treatment plans consistent with VHA guidelines and accreditation standards; e. Participating in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings; f. Ordering all necessary laboratory and radiological assessments; g. Initiating and following up with consults/referrals as indicated; h. Providing psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy as indicated; i. Prescribing medications and supplies in accordance with VHA guidelines, state regulations and scope of practice; j. Maintaining effective and up-to-date documentation of patient encounters; k. Completing pertinent clinical reminders during scheduled appointments; l. Providing health care education to patients and their families; m. Acting as a consultant for other medical, nursing, and clinical staff; n. Placing return to clinic orders for patients' follow up care. Administrative duties and responsibilities (20% of position) include but are not limited to: a. Completing and closing patient encounters within VHA guidelines; b. Preparing for scheduled patient encounters; c. Participating with mental health and psychiatric services to include attending S&BHS staff trainings, Monday All Hands meetings, S&BH Monthly Meetings, Psychiatry Monthly Team meetings, and Psychiatry Peer Consultation group; d. Participating in assigned VISN and National level calls and trainings; e. Participating in development and implementation of service level projects such as completing tracers or performing Environment of Care rounds. f. Participating in Professional Practice Evaluation activities; g. Ensuring that any quality measure fallouts from Professional Practice Evaluations are reviewed and addressed appropriately; h. Coordinating across the continuum of care from Primary Care Mental Health Integrated Care, Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), and Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (MHRRTP). i. Supporting the Chief of Psychiatry and the ACOS of Mental Health in developing quality improvement practices to enhance service provision; j. Participating in professional and administrative activities as assigned; k. Remaining up to date on Service Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's), Medical Center Policies (MCP's), VHA Directives, VHA Handbooks, Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG's), and accreditation standards. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan paymentreimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submityour EDRP application within four months of your start date. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibilityperiod (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after completereview of the EDRP application. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov 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 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: Full-time, 8:00am - 4:30pm