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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: VA and Outpatient psychiatric experience preferred but not required. Experience with combat-related PTSD and Addictions; adult outpatient mental health experience, belief in the Mission of VA. 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: Light lifting (under 15 pounds), light carrying (under 15 pounds), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking (8 hours), standing (8 hours), repeated bending (1 hour), working closely with others, working alone, protracted or irregular hours of work, occasional emotional strain. ["The incumbent serves as a clinical team member, carrying an outpatient prescriber caseload in an interdisciplinary Mental Health Clinic setting at the Fitchburg Community Outpatient Clinic for VA Central Western MA Healthcare System. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized for highly qualified candidate(s).Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Contact Karen Chapman, karen.chapman@va.gov, the VISN1 EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. 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 Mental Health Service Line Staffing: 174 Full-Time Employee Equivalents, including 17 Psychiatrists; 5 of the 17 psychiatrists are assigned to the Leeds Mental Health Clinic, along with 8 Clinical Psychologists, 2 Social Workers, 2 Clinical Pharmacist, 2 Nurse Practitioners, 1 Nurse, and 1 Nursing Assistant. Psychology, Social Work, and Physician Assistant students work in the Mental Health Clinic as well. Psychiatrists practice autonomously with opportunity for consultation, whenever needed. The department promotes opportunities for teaching and supervision. Outpatient Psychiatrists serve as clinical leaders on interdisciplinary treatment teams. On-call duties are rotated among group, with ability to switch among members easily. VA Central Western MA Healthcare System has 85 inpatient mental health beds across 3 inpatient units. The hospital has a large outpatient service on the main campus and 5 affiliated community based outpatient clinics across Central and Western Mass (Springfield, Worcester, Fitchburg, Greenfield and Pittsfield). There is also a 16-bed Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residence located in downtown Northampton. Psychiatrists assigned to the Medical Center campus and to the Springfield and Greenfield CBOCs are part of an on-call rotation for Psychiatric Officer of the Day during WHEN hours including rounding on acute patients during weekends and holidays. Currently there are 11 Psychiatrists in the rotation.\" Some coverage of walk-ins may be expected in a carve-out clinic during certain days/hours, rotated among clinic staff Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework/Virtual/Remote Work: Yes Compressed/Flexible Work Schedule: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure: Not Required NOTIFICATIONS: Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action).The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's. This position is in the Excepted Service. Applicant's education, length of practice, will be considered by a compensation panel in determining the salary of the applicant selected. Candidates who meet the qualification requirements within 15 calendar days following the closing date of the announcement will be considered. Drug Testing Position: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. Selectee will be required to complete additional forms to proceed with the employment process. Selectee will be required to complete the credentialing process. Permanent appointment in this position is subject to review by the Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) that will review the selected candidate's education and experience. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Veterans' preference will apply if eligible."]

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