Eugene J. Towbin VA Healthcare Center - Psychiatrist

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Psychiatric services at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System are delivered at both the Little Rock and North Little Rock campuses, in Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and in the community in person and using virtual technologies. Care follows an interdisciplinary, collaborative practice model. The Mental Health Service (MHS) provides a wide variety of adult psychiatric services to Veterans with mental illness and their families including diagnostic evaluations, consultation with other services, emergency care, safety assessments and interventions, individual and group psychotherapy, psychological and neuropsychiatric testing, medication management, inpatient and residential care, substance use disorder care, somatic therapies (e.g., ECT and TMS), and outreach services. Additionally, same day access to care is provided as defined by VA policy.

II. FUNCTIONS: Direct Patient Care: The Psychiatrist will conduct assessments for psychiatric, substance use, social, and associated medical problems. The Psychiatrist will use appropriate treatment modalities depending on patient need, location, and privileging including psychotropic medications, hospitalization, somatic therapies, individual therapy, and group therapy. The psychiatrist may refer the Veteran to an alcohol/substance use disorder program, to couples/family therapy, psychosocial interventions, compensated work therapy, vocational rehabilitation, neurological testing, and medical services as needed. If the Veteran needs admission for rapid stabilization, the Veteran may be admitted to the acute Inpatient Psychiatric Unit at the hospital. New patients will have an initial psychiatric evaluation, reassessment for any major changes, and follow-up determined by their clinical needs, care location, and treatment guidelines. These follow-up visits may include medication adjustment, education about the biological aspects of the condition(s), addressing compliance issues, and relationship building. The psychiatrist will assess patients for suicidal ideations, homicidal ideations, and violent behavior and offer appropriate safety planning, interventions, and treatment modalities in accordance with the law and local policies. The Psychiatrist will assess patients for associated medical, surgical, or other problems within the psychiatrist’s scope of practice and training and will make prompt referral to services if clinically indicated. The Psychiatrist will provide ongoing follow up and will assist in monitoring those Veterans in the Psychiatrist’s care. The Psychiatrist may be in a rotation to fulfill on-call responsibilities after hours, on holidays, and during weekends. The Psychiatrist will assist with meeting VISN and CAVHS performance measures. Adaptability is required as duties may change to meet program needs.

III. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The incumbent reports to the incumbent’s supervisor. The MHS Organization Chart elaborates the exact reporting structure from the incumbent to the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Service. Clinical productivity will be measured and discussed with the incumbent on a biannual basis.

IV. QUALIFICATIONS: VA physician qualifications include US citizenship (unless an exclusion is obtained), Doctor of Medicine degree, current and unrestricted medical license in a US state, territory, or District of Columbia, completion of an approved residency training program, physical requirements as determined by directive, and English language proficiency. Please refer to VA Handbook 5005/113, Appendix G2 for full details.

V. OTHER SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITIES: a. Customer Service: The Psychiatrist assures the needs and rights of patients and other customers are met while also supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides consistent information according to established policies and procedures and handles conflict and problems with customers constructively and appropriately. b. ADP Security: The Psychiatrist protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Protects data from unauthorized release, loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion, and follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in the computer access agreement.

Preferred Characteristics

• Performs psychiatric evaluations for a diverse population, including geriatric and post-deployment combat Veterans, who are mentally ill and who may have psychosocial issues such as homelessness, unemployment, or a poor family support network. Uses treatment guidelines, other medical literature, consultations, and experience to guide treatment recommendations.?
• Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions including diagnostic assessments, medication evaluation and management, suicide risk assessments, crisis intervention, psychotherapy, and overall care of patients with psychiatric disorders. Documents evaluation and treatment thoroughly and timely.
• Modalities for patient care include face-to-face, video teleconference, and telephone calls as clinically appropriate. Provider must be able to incorporate alternative encounter modalities into clinical care.
• Ensures practice of psychiatric medicine is consistent with TJC, CARF, HIPPA, VA policies and procedures, clinical practice guidelines, national statutes and regulations, medical record documentation, and maintain mandatory continuing education.
• Maintains appropriate licensing and board certifications as applicable.
• Participates effectively in team meetings and collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to enhance coordination of comprehensive patient care.
• Functions as part of a psychiatric care team working with other physicians, PAs, APRNs, nurses and other support staff maintaining a respectful, collegial stance. If applicable, works as collaborating physician with PAs and APRNs as necessary.
• Orders diagnostic tests and consultations. Discriminates between normal and abnormal findings and makes appropriate treatment decisions.
• May be asked to perform on call duties depending on practice location, and other duties as assigned.
• Primary responsibilities are in outpatient Psychiatric Services.
• Minimum 2 years post graduate mental health/psychiatric prescribing provider clinical experience (including psychiatric residency) strongly preferred.
• 1 hour provided for new patients, 30 minutes for follow ups.

Work Schedule:

Weekdays M-F, 8:00a.m - 4:30p.m

Compensation:

Benefits:

Compensation Points:

Loan Repayment, Signing Bonus, Retirement Package, Cost of Living, Health Insurance

Paid Time Off:

• 26 Days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave
• 13 Days paid sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation
• 11 Federal holidays with pay annually
• 5 Days paid absence to attend approved CME courses

Insurance:

• Health Insurance: VA employees have an outstanding number of health insurance plans from which to choose (premiums are partially paid by VA) Lifetime Healthcare Insurance options available
• Dental & Vision: Our insurance options also include exceptional vision and dental plans (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• VA employees have the option to use Flexible Spending Accounts, which allow you to use tax-free dollars to pay for medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance plan
• Term life insurance, family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government
• Long-term care insurance is available as an option

Federal Retirement Plan:

• VA employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits, 2) FERS-RAE basic benefits (pension), and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan
• How is the pension funded? VA employees automatically contribute 4.4% of their salary each pay period and the VA contributes 12.2% of the employee’s salary each pay period for a total annual contribution percentage equal to 16.6% of the employee’s salary
• Similar to the 401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector, the TSP allows employees to tax defer a portion of their income each year, subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. For calendar year 2020, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $19,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $25,500.
• The Federal Government also provides an automatic basic contribution (1% of salary) and up to 4% of salary in matching contributions, depending on the amount of the employee contribution
• For retired military personnel, these benefits are in addition to full monthly retirement pay or pension
• In addition to FERS, VA provides health care insurance coverage for retired personnel
• Disability Retirement
• Employees are vested in a federal pension after only 5 years service