Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2026 or until filled
• Eligible applications received will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
• This announcement is posted as a Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant for one position
• Please apply to the appropriate announcement for consideration
• The Psychiatric Physician Assistant (PA) is responsible for the consultative and specialty care of patients with mental health needs presenting to the Domiciliary - Community Living Center - Urgent Care Center - and/or outpatient settings as required
• The PA functions as an integral member of the Psychiatry Consult-Liaison Team in the Domiciliary/CLC/UCC and/or the BHIP Team in the Outpatient Clinic - working in coordination with the other team members to include psychiatrists - PMHNP's - psychologists - nurses - psychotherapists - social workers - addiction therapists - vocational specialists - and other clinic personnel
• The PA will be directly responsible to the Chief of Psychiatry or supervising psychiatrist of his/her assigned duty section for all clinical and administrative duties
• Duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Conduct initial psychiatric evaluations - including initial assessment interviews - history and focused physical exams - lab/imaging/consultation orders - aftercare plans - and follow up visits
• Following the initial evaluation - the PA will provide appropriate follow-up care including reassessments of diagnoses and conditions - medication adjustments - and any further tests or consults indicated
• Conduct urgent psychiatric evaluations to assist with disposition of patients in the Urgent Care Center - with the support of the supervising psychiatrist or his/her designee Provide mental health education/counseling and brief supportive therapy of patients and their families Conduct ongoing follow-up appointments for stable patients - including regular refills of medications - required lab monitoring and other tests - and documentation of progress Perform examinations and screening scales (such as AIMS - MoCA - PHQ-9) and similar non-invasive examinations specific to the ongoing care of psychiatric patients Conduct suicide risk assessments and complete documentation of assessments - reports of suicidal behavior - and formal safety planning as per VHA guidelines Order appropriate laboratory tests - imaging studies - EKG's (electrocardiograms) and similar noninvasive tests Communicate test results to patients per Medical Center policy (within 7 days for actionable results - 14 days for routine results) Complete documentation on all visits - consults - and telephone calls and close encounters within parameters established by the facility (same day when at all possible) Participate as requested in preadmission screening and case management/interdisciplinary team discussions and perform treatment planning in course of care Participate in clinical pertinence reviews - process improvement projects - risk management activities - and other such duties as assigned Integrate the activities of the psychiatric consultation team or mental health clinic with other patient care programs in the facility Other related duties as assigned VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) 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) EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact vha.elrsprogramsupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.