Summary

North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health Care System's Mental Health Service is searching for a full-time Psychiatrist. Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards - as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program; possess good organizational skills - demonstrates leadership in a patient centered program - and effective communication with patients - families - visitors.

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 in Psychiatry 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: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019
• This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health
• This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs. - carrying objects up to 15 lbs. - frequent reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - hands and legs - use of cranes and motor vehicles - walking & standing up to 8 hours - bending and climbing and able to hear whisper
• The incumbent must be physically - emotionally and mentally stable in order to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.

Duties

• **Applicant's Note: This announcement has been amended to change the closing date from 12/31/2025 - due to scheduled system updates.** **This announcement has been amended to remove the bargaining unit status because on August 6 - 2025 - pursuant to EO 14251 - the Secretary terminated master collective bargaining agreement.** This is an open continuous announcement that will remain open until filled
• Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis
• Eligible applicants will be referred each week for consideration until a selection is made
• 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
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact the VISN 8 Compensation Center of Excellence at VISN8CCOE@va.gov if you have any questions or concerns
• 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 The primary role will be for this position will focus on care of veterans as part of an integrated team of psychiatrists - mid-level practitioners - nurses - psychologists - licensed clinical social workers and clerks
• The candidate may need to provide clinical services off tour and will be required to do so upon receipt of critical clinical messages
• The candidate must be willing to be placed - detailed or temporarily assigned to other related services and/or locations if necessary
• The incumbent reports to the Chief - Psychiatry Service or their designee A summary of the duties is mentioned below but not limited to: Provide general adult psychiatric care - conducting diagnostic evaluations - psychiatric consults - medication management - and individual or group psychotherapy
• Provide direct clinical supervision of advanced practice nurses or physician assistants and other staff as appropriate
• Serve a population which consists of male and female Veterans of all ages and common diagnoses include anxiety disorders - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - Major Depression and other mood disorders - Substance Use Disorders - Bipolar Disorder - Schizophrenia - and other Serious Mental Illnesses - Dementias - and mental disorder related to Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Provide prescribed medical treatment and personal care services to veterans in need of psychiatric services
• Document observations - assessments - and changes in patient's condition
• collaborating with health team members to facilitate positive patient care outcomes
• Provide a full range of psychiatric care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavior problems
• Ability to establish effective communication with patients - families - visitors and members of the interdisciplinary team
• Accountable for meeting and maintaining the qualification standards of assigned specialty
• Work Schedule: Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor
• The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs).