Career Center

The Chief, Mental Health provides administrative and clinical leadership, ensuring achievement of the Veterans Health Administration's, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention's, Veterans Integrated Services Network 10's, and the Medical Center's clinical and educational goals related to mental health services at all sites within the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Staff and serves as a key clinical resource to the Medical Center Director. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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 Psychiatry 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: Board Certified or Board Eligible Psychiatrist 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. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary and cost of living increases\nPaid Time Off: 50-55 work days of annual paid time offer per year (26 days of annual leave, 15 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year, and possible up to 5 day paid absence for CME)\nRetirement: Traditional Federal pension (5 years vesting) and Federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.\nInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many Federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)\nLicensure: Requires an active, full, and unrestricted allopathic or osteopathic medical license from any US State or territory\nCME: Possible up to $1,000 per year reimbursement\nMalpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided\nContract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting General Description:\nThe Chief of Mental Health provides administrative, clinical, and programmatic leadership to help ensure achievement of the VHA's, OMHSP's, VISN 10's, and Medical Center's clinical and educational goals related to the provision of mental health at all sites of care within the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Staff and serves as a key clinical resource for the Medical Center Director and the Chief of Staff. Clinical Work: Provides ad hoc patient care and clinical oversight to temporarily support the operations of the Mental Health Service. Uses appropriate modalities (e.g., VVC, telephone, e-consult) for providing ad hoc clinical care for mental health clinics, Urgent Care Clinic, Community Living Center, Compensation and Pension, Substance Use Disorder, or other specialty areas credentialed to do so. Customer Service Bases planning on patient and staff feedback and projected needs. Plans the provision of services with a patient-centered vision (in alignment with VHA guidelines and policies) to enhance patient education and shared decision making. Establishes a customer-oriented culture and promotes the hiring of persons who demonstrate the VA's ICARE values of integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect, and excellence. Work Schedule: 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. (Monday through Friday)"]