This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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: Board Certification in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine or Addiction Psychiatry, possession of a current buprenorphine waiver are recognized professional accomplishments for this position, and 5+ years' experience in the field of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. 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: 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. ["VA Northern California Health Care System (NCHCS) is recruiting for a full-time Psychiatrist with fellowship training in Addiction Medicine or Addiction Psychiatry to serve as Medical Director for our Addictions Recovery Treatment Services (ARTS) program. The candidate may choose to either the Sacramento VA Medical Center or the Martinez VA Outpatient Clinic as their primary duty station. They will be expected to spend one day at each location and may have opportunity to tele-work up to three days per week. The Medical Director performs duties as a Practitioner and Consultant in Addiction Medicine program with emphasis on problems of all levels of complexity within the Addiction Recovery Treatment Services (ARTS) for all of VA Northern California Healthcare system. The Psychiatrist conducts assessments and formulates diagnoses; and develops treatment plans for patients with substance use and/or other psychiatric disorders, using an interdisciplinary team approach. The Psychiatrist manages psychiatric medication for patients; evaluates the general medical suitability of clinic patients for withdrawal management, detoxification and/or psychiatric hospitalization, including screening physical examinations; and assesses and intervenes with patients presenting in crisis. The Psychiatrist prescribes medications for the treatment of substance use disorders, including buprenorphine, as well as medications for other psychiatric disorders. Collaboration, coordination and cooperation with colleagues within and across disciplines are essential skills. The Medical Director directly supervises all psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners in ARTS. The Medical Director reports to the NCHCS ARTS Program Manager, working collaboratively to provide general oversight and consultation to ARTS prescribers (staff psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, etc.) within the ARTS program throughout the health care system. Psychiatrists may also have the opportunity for teaching and supervision of medical students and psychiatric residents through affiliation with the University California, Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Additional Supervisory responsibilities: Maintains a panel of patients with substance use and other psychiatric disorders in collaboration with other mental health disciplines and services to provide comprehensive mental health care. Oversees the administration and operations of medical care within the Addiction Recovery Treatment Services Program, directly supervising psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners and collaborating with Nursing Service. Collaborates with other VA departments and services that contribute to the provision of mental health care. Works with Physician and Nursing Recruitment offices in all steps of recruitment, hiring, and retention of psychiatrists and nursing staff. Communicates to staff and monitors performance and workload expectations consistent with local and national VA standards. Assists in developing plans to improved performance when deficits are identified. Coach and mentor staff to promote and encourage continued medical learning and clinical excellence. Rewards employee contributions and performance which exceed performances. Completes FPPE/OPPE and chart audits for credentialing of subordinate staff. Acts as subject matter expert and advises leadership regarding standard of care for psychiatric practice, regarding the treatment of substance use disorders, including medication assisted treatment, buprenorphine, detoxification and non-pharmacological treatment modalities. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm On-Call: Weeknight/weekend telephone and on-site for the local 16-bed Behavioral Health Intensive Care Unit are shared, currently rotates about 3 to 5 times a year. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Position Eligible EDRP Authorized: Contact Susan.Bringel@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 annual paid time offer 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 Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.