Career Center

Seeking Addiction Psychiatrist for Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) Pain Management Team (PMT)

The VA Northern California Health Care System (NCHCS) is currently recruiting for a full-time Addiction Psychiatrist to spend 50% of time working with the NCHCS ARTS team to provide addiction services to Veterans and 50% spent collaborating with the Sacramento Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Pain Management Team/Clinic (SAC CARA PMT/Clinic) to help support patients with chronic pain and Substance Use Disorders, especially Opioid Use Disorder. The duty station will be at Sacramento VA Medical Center, Mather, CA.

The Psychiatrist conducts assessments and formulates diagnoses; and develops treatment plans for patients with substance use and/or other psychiatric disorders, using an interdisciplinary team approach.  The Psychiatrist manages psychiatric medication for patients; evaluates the general medical suitability of clinic patients for withdrawal management, detoxification and/or psychiatric hospitalization, including screening physical examinations; and assesses and intervenes with patients presenting in crisis.  The Psychiatrist prescribes medications for the treatment of substance use disorders, including buprenorphine, as well as medications for other psychiatric disorders.  Collaboration, coordination, and cooperation with colleagues within and across disciplines are essential skills.  This Psychiatrist reports to the NCHCS ARTS Program Director, the NCHCS ARTS Medical Director and Director of PM&R/SAC CARA PMT/Clinic. Psychiatrists may also have the opportunity for teaching and supervision of medical students and psychiatric residents and fellows through affiliation with the University California, Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

Additional Supervisory responsibilities: Maintains a panel of patients with substance use and other psychiatric disorders in collaboration with other mental health disciplines and services to provide comprehensive mental health care. Oversees the administration and operations of medical care within the Addiction Recovery Treatment Services Program, directly supervising psychiatrists and nursing staff. Collaborates with other VA departments and services that contribute to the provision of mental health care. Works with Physician and Nursing Recruitment offices in all steps of recruitment, hiring, and retention of psychiatrists and nursing staff. Communicates to staff and monitors performance and workload expectations consistent with local and national VA standards. Provides employee feedback regarding clinical performance on a regular basis. Assists in developing plans to improved performance when deficits are identified. Coach and mentor staff to promote and encourage continued medical learning and clinical excellence. Rewards employee contributions and performance which exceed performances. Completes FPPE/OPPE and chart audits for credentialing of subordinate staff. Administers leave request and clinic cancellations for subordinate staff. Acts as subject matter expert and advises leadership regarding standard of care for psychiatric practice, regarding the treatment of substance use disorders, including medication assisted treatment, buprenorphine, detoxification and non-pharmacological treatment modalities.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm; On-Call: Weeknight/weekend telephone and on-site for the local 16-bed Behavioral Health Intensive Care Unit are shared, currently rotates about 3 to 5 times a year.

Recruitment or Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Position Eligible
EDRP Authorized: Contact Susan.Bringel@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance

Candidates must be: 1) US Citizen or PRA, 2) BE/BC Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine or Addiction Psychiatry, 3) a medical license in any State and 4) confirm vaccination for seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which are both requirements for all Health Care Personnel (HCP) employed by Department of Veterans Affairs. Preferred Experience: Board Certification in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine or Addiction Psychiatry and possession of a current buprenorphine waiver are recognized professional accomplishments for this position; Experience in the overlap of Pain Management and Addiction Medicine; Experience in the field of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine or Addiction Psychiatry.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of annual paid time offer 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
Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided
Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting