Physician (VISN Chief Mental Health Officer)

Full Job Description

The VISN 20 Chief Mental Health Officer (CMHO) identifies the unique mental healthcare needs of the patient population in the Pacific Northwest.

Within existing resources, the CMHO develops systems and strategic plans to achieve short and long-term goals consistent with VA Health system policy, priorities and goals and the VISN direction that will meet the identified needs.

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement.

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.

Specialized Experience: 5 or more years of mental health experience, 2 or more years of leadership experience, 2 or more years of supervisory experience.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Use of fingers; Hearing (aid may be permitted).

Environmental Factors: Working alone. Major Duties:

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

VHA Physician Total Rewards., The Chief Mental Health Officer (CMHO) functions/scopes of practice include but are not limited to: Lead efforts to plan, organize and evaluate VISN 20 Behavioral Health program.

Chair VISN 20 Behavioral Health Committee. Collaborate with facility Behavioral Health leaders and staff. Serve as liaison between VISN Behavioral health community and VISN leadership.

Develop and maintain Behavior Health Strategic Plan including region wide Behavioral Health access through conventional and innovative means.

Lead the Implementation of Behavioral Health Strategic Plan. Monitor and improve Behavioral Health System performance.

In collaboration with Behavioral Health Committee set standards, identify, and correct significant variance.

Define clinical practice guidelines/clinical pathways, admission-discharge criteria, outcome expectations, referral management, disorder-specific Case Management and prevention-wellness programs, and patient satisfaction.

Provide leadership to coordinate activities between VISN and facilities to achieve a seamless continuum of care for patients.

Ensure that clinical and administrative activities, as they relate to the VISN, are in compliance with internal and external standards established by VA headquarters, external accrediting bodies and regulatory authorities.

The incumbent will monitor customer satisfaction through use and interpretation of appropriate patient survey systems. Integrate and promote teaching and research within the clinical structure.

The incumbent will work to increase and support peer-reviewed funded research in Mental Health, including awards from the VA and NIH.

The incumbent will work with the affiliated academic institutions to promote education within the network.

The incumbent ensures that effective utilization of available resources is achieved, and that equity of access to necessary services is provided within the service area.

Negotiates with Medical Center Directors to provide a variety of services for a fixed cost, at various sites within the VISN. These agreements are incorporated in memoranda of understanding.

Develops and utilizes monitors to assess and measure program and system performance.

Achieves VA objectives in quality of services and programs across the service line, as evaluated by internal indicators, regulatory and accreditation reviews, and patient satisfaction data.

Ensures continuous improvement relative to the quality, value, and access of mental health services.

Consults with the BHC and patient care providers to outline policies and quality measures that will be useful in measuring and assuring the effectiveness of VI SN-wide mental health services.

The incumbent articulates and communicates goals of the VISN 20 Behavioral Health program to all staff in the VISN.

The CMHO has a critical responsibility to support and foster the academic alliances between the VA and academic institutions including medical schools in the VISN.

Fosters a corporate culture of service throughout the VISN, promoting ethical practices, encouraging individual integrity, and motivating cooperative, responsible efforts.

Models VA and VHA corporate values.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm PST Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 Virtual: This is not a virtual position Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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