Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications and subsequent cut-off dates are on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled

Qualifications

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: ACGME - Board Eligible Geriatric Psychiatrist with minimum 2-3 years post-resident clinical experience in Geriatrics
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position - with or without reasonable accommodation - without hazard to themselves or others
• Depending on the essential duties of a specific position - usable vision - color vision - hearing or speech may be required
• however - in most cases - a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid.

Duties

• Located on the Georgia/South Carolina border - the city of Augusta - GA lies on the Savannah River - which supports its diverse economic endeavors as well as vast recreation options
• The city is the center point of the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) - a 13-county region that includes both Georgia and South Carolina
• It is located within close proximity to many major southern destinations including Atlanta - Columbia - and Charlotte
• Our hospital provides primary care and specialty health services - including mental health services - physical therapy and rehabilitation - spinal cord injury treatment - and more
• Below - you'll find our address and hours - parking and transportation information - and the other health services we offer at our Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta VHA and CBOC locations
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Education and length of practice are considered through a formal pay-setting process to determine the final compensable salary (Base Pay + Market Pay) Learn more
• 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
• Major Duties and Responsibilities: The applicant will work in the Community Living Center (CLC) - Hospice - and Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) face to face and by video link for HBPC
• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations (including history - mental status exam - diagnosis - and treatment planning)
• Provide ongoing pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment for mental health conditions within the psychiatrist's scope of practice
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to review cases and coordinate care
• Document clinical care in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) in a timely - accurate - and professional manner in accordance with VA policy
• Provide clinical consultation to other staff as needed
• Support measurement-based care and population health strategies - including responding to clinical alerts - abnormal screenings - and patient-reported outcomes
• Engage in suicide prevention and risk reduction practices - including completion of Suicide Risk Assessments - Safety Plans - and appropriate documentation
• Maintain compliance with all applicable VA policies - Joint Commission standards - and professional practice standards
• Participate in peer review - quality improvement - and other professional activities as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM - or as determined.