PCMHI is part of the interprofessional Patient Aligned Care Team. PCMHI supports Primary care and the PACT team to assure that mental and behavioral health needs of the population are met. Initiates & manages medication assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders (SUD) for patients who can be managed in PACT with PCMHI support. Treatment of individuals with lower severity of illness not requiring intensive outpatient subspecialty support typically available in higher levels of care. 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: Initiates and manages medication assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders (SUDs) for patientswhose care can be managed in PACT with PCMHI support. In general, these are individuals with lower severity of illness who do not require the intensive outpatient subspecialty support typically available in higher levels of care. 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: Candidates must successfully complete a pre-employment physical. Position requires walking, standing, reading typewritten material without strain, ability to hear conversational voice, emotional and mental stability, and working closely with others. Must be able to physically respond when needed by prompt appearance at required location. ["Major duties and responsibilities include: Critical that any psychiatrist/APRN in PCMHI has a broad base of knowledge, skills, and abilities to address the wide variety of mental illnesses that may be encountered in the population. A key member of the overall mental health team and serves a critical role in the continuum of care. Working in integrated care, whether serving as a clinician, team leader or both, should strive to assure that the four essential elements of collaborative care are included in PCMHI. Timely documentation is necessary in all areas in accordance with departmental policy. All administrative work should be completed in a timely fashion. Quality of care should be able to meet professional standards at all times. Consults with other health care providers in an appropriate and timely manner. Will work within their privileges at all times, unless necessitated by an emergency. Provides ongoing support to other PACT members. While the PCPs often provide routine medication initiation and management, in many instances, it may be preferable for the psychiatrist/APRN to initiate medication and either treat to target or support PCP continuation of medication, either directly or by supervision of care management. Communicates frequently with other primary care staff and attends primary care service meetings. Serves as liaison between PACT providers and other mental health providers working with PACT patients who are receiving ongoing services in general and subspecialty MH clinics. Generally, the PCMHI psychiatrist/APRN does not provide direct treatment for such patients though should be of help during times of crisis. In such instances, the PCMHI psychiatrist/APRN is expected to make every effort to contact and involve the mental health team of record or the designated on-call psychiatrist. Provides ongoing training, supervision, and backup for care management (CM). This generally includes at least weekly meetings to discuss all patients receiving CM services. The psychiatrist must also be readily available for consultation in urgent situations that may develop during a CM visit. Provides consultation to co-located collaborative psychologists, social workers, nurses, clinical pharmacists, and other disciplines as needed. Psychiatrists/APRNs are expected to be able to assist with understanding the often-complex interaction resulting from comorbid psychiatric and nonpsychiatric conditions, as well as identify psychiatric symptoms induced by other illnesses or medications. Assures that the medical workup ordered by the primary care provider is sufficient and adds to that workup if indicated. Initiates and manages medication assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders (SUDs) for patients whose care can be managed in PACT with PCMHI support. In general, these are individuals with lower severity of illness who do not require the intensive outpatient subspecialty support typically available in higher levels of care. MAT interventions commonly include buprenorphine, acamprosate, naltrexone, disulfiram and other less specific medications often used for SUDs. In many instances, the psychiatrist does not directly prescribe but serves as a consultant to a prescribing PCP. He/she may supervise nurses or other staff providing ongoing care management for SUDs. Works closely with other mental health clinics and staff to identify patients whose episode of illness has been successfully treated to plan termination from specialty care and return to PACT for long term follow-up. While it is not expected that the psychiatrist or others on the PCMHI team will routinely follow such patients, they are to be available for consultation in instances of recurrence of symptoms. They may at that time provide early intervention or determine that return to specialty care is needed. In addition to being a member of the discipline-specific PACT, the psychiatrist is expected to be a contributing member of the mental health service and attend all facility general MH staff meetings. Overall responsibility for the MH treatment of the patient: evaluating and providing optimal treatment, referring to other providers, coordinating activities of MH providers seeing the same patient, documenting an appropriate brief MH treatment plan, seeking consultation when necessary, and approaching treatment within the context of available services within the facility as well as community providers and networks. Exercises independent judgment in the practice and provision of patient/program services (clinical care, consultation, and education). Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM\nCompressed/Flexible Schedule: Yes, Potential for a few days, depending on clinic needs.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement Title: Physician (Psychiatrist-PCMHI/SUD)\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Is not authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not Required"]