Career Center

The Deputy ACOS-BH is aligned under the Associate Chief of Staff- Behavioral Health and is a supervisory position. This supervisor is responsible for direct supervision of the Chief of Psychology, Specialty Care Program Manager, Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Program Manager, the MST/EBP Coordinator, and the Psychology Training Director. 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: Leadership, Mental Health Care, Strategic Planning and Cultural Awareness. 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: Applicants must meet physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required. This is a designated drug testing position. After appointment, you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Requires lifting 15-44 pounds; pushing (approx. 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers and both hands; walking and standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Hearing aid is permitted. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases\nPaid 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)\nRetirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA\nInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)\nLicensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory\nCME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)\nMalpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided\nContract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Major Duties Include but not limited to: Clinical: Provides direct patient care in outpatient mental health. Functioning as part of a psychiatric care team working with other physicians, physician extenders, nurses and/or other support staff. Providing high quality and efficient care and able to work well in an interdisciplinary team setting. Maintains competency in all aspects of Psychiatric care. Maintains currency in medication management, including adverse reactions and their appropriate treatment. Uses appropriate documentation to record patients' medical history and all aspects of the patients' Psychiatric course of treatment. On call responsibilities are mostly from home with the exception of occasional weekend or holiday coverage. The Deputy ACOS-BH when on call is expected to make clinical judgments, teach the resident, and make sure appropriate clinical care is being done. Proctors psychiatry residents to include didactics and oversight of direct care. Administrative: The Deputy ACOS-BH is responsible for direct supervision over these supervisors: Chief of Psychology, who oversees all Social Workers, Psychologists, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), and Program Support Assistants in Behavioral Health Integration Program as well as the Family Services Section; Specialty Care Program manager, who manages all Psychologists and Social Workers in the PTSD Program, all Psychologists and Social Workers in the Addictive Disorders Treatment Program, Neuropsychologists and Psych Techs in Neuropsychology Program, the Pain Psychologists, and the DBT Coordinator; the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Program Manager who oversees all Psychologists and Social Workers in this program; the EBP/MST Coordinator, and the Psychology Training Director. The Deputy ACOS-BH will direct and participate in quality improvement measures, systems redesign projects, and ensures compliance with policies, directives and service leadership goals. Communicates clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing, to communicate change and expectations. Develops strategies that achieve organizational goals, taking into account the organization's resources. Works collaboratively with quality management and other appropriate facility departments to establish, implement and maintain quality assurance. The Deputy ACOS-BH will participate in completion and review of Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations, Focused Professional Practice Evaluations, annual/semiannual employee evaluations, peer review and pay for performance evaluations. This supervisor will collaborate with the patient advocate to address and resolve inquires and complaints. Additionally, they will collaborate with the other Behavioral Health supervisors and AO in preparation of controlled correspondence for Congressionals, VISN and VACO inquiries. Along with the ACOS-BH, the Deputy ACOS-BH will initiate and supervise the hiring of new LIPs and non-LIPs for the Service. This Supervisor will conduct regularly scheduled departmental meetings, determining the final agenda and invitees to ensure ongoing education and communication. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, specific TOD to be determined"]