Job Description
Physician (Psychiatrist) is listed by Veterans Health Administration, Lyons VA Medical Center. The Veterans Health Administration at the Lyons VA Medical Center in Lyons, New Jersey, is hiring a Staff Psychiatrist to provide outpatient medication management via telemental health.
This full-time, permanent GS-15 position is part of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), delivering complete, patient-centered care to Veterans through video sessions.
The role is ideal for board-eligible or board-certified psychiatrists who want to serve those who served, with the flexibility of telework and the support of a multidisciplinary team.
You will manage a panel of Veterans, offering medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders and psychiatric care for a range of mental health diagnoses, including trauma-related conditions. Collaboration with other prescribers, therapists, and schedulers is key, as is coverage for colleagues when needed.
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), which can provide up to $200,000 in student loan repayment over 1 to 5 years, subject to VHA policy and application approval.
Salary & Compensation
Salary: $270,000 - $285,000 per year.
Qualification
To qualify for this GS-15 Physician (Psychiatrist) position, you must meet basic U.S. Citizenship, medical degree, licensure, and residency training requirements as outlined by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Applicants pending completion of training or licensure may be tentatively selected.
- U.S. citizenship required; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
- Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from an accredited school (LCME or CODA approved for the year of graduation).
- Foreign medical graduates must meet ECFMG eligibility requirements for the year of graduation.
- Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
- Completion of residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (ACGME or AOA accredited program) leading to board certification eligibility.
- Alternative residency pathways: one year of ACGME/AOA-approved internship plus two years of independent practice in the U.S., or non-U.S. residency plus three years of verified independent practice in the U.S.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English.
- Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and urinalysis drug screening.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for all VA Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Duties & Responsibilities
- Provide outpatient medication management as part of the telemental health team at Lyons VA Medical Center.
- Manage scheduled and unscheduled patients through video sessions within the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP).
- Deliver complete, strength-based, person-centered mental health care to an assigned panel of Veterans.
- Provide medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders and psychiatric care for a range of mental health diagnoses, including trauma-related conditions.
- Collaborate with other clinic staff, including prescribers, therapists, and schedulers, to ensure coordinated care.
- Provide coverage for other prescribers when needed.
- Collaborate with other hospital and Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences (MH&BS) programs and staff to ensure complete, patient-centered care.
- Apply mastery of theories, principles, concepts, and methodologies of clinical psychiatric practice.
- Exercise sound judgment in selecting and adapting standard and accepted theories, techniques, and practices when treating patients and prescribing medications.
Conditions & Requirements
- U.S. citizenship; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in seasonal influenza vaccination program required for all VA Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- May be required to serve a probationary period.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- Acceptable form of REAL ID-compliant identification required for pre-employment (effective May 7, 2025).
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section.
Benefits
- Complete federal benefits package including health insurance, retirement, and paid leave.
- Eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) with up to $200,000 in student loan repayment over 1 to 5 years (subject to VHA policy and application approval).
- Telework eligible as determined by agency policy.
- Permanent full-time position with stable career growth.
- Access to VA for Vets career services for Veterans and transitioning service members.
How You Will Be Evaluated
- Your application, resume/C.V., and supporting documents will be reviewed to ensure qualifications and eligibility requirements are met.
- A formal pay-setting process will determine your salary within the posted range.
- Veterans' preference applies: preference eligibles and other Veterans will be given preference when qualifications are approximately equal.
- Pre-employment reference checks may be conducted to verify information and assist in final selection.
- Referred applicants may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview.
- All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision is made.
Required Documents
- C.V. and/or resume (no page limit; upload full resume/CV into the 'Other' document upload field).
- Standard Clinical Resume Document (one-page form) – download from the provided link and upload into the 'Resume' document upload field.
- DD-214 (for Veterans claiming preference) showing dates and character of service.
- SF-15 'Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference' with required proof (if applicable).
- For active-duty service members expecting discharge within 120 days: documentation reflecting dates of service, character of service, and impending separation date.
How to Apply
- Go to the official application portal and open the announcement for Physician (Psychiatrist) at Lyons VA Medical Center (announcement number CBTE-13021121-26-VM).
- To your the official application portal account or create a new one using Login.gov.
- Complete the online application and the occupational questionnaire.
- Attach your federal resume/C.V. and the required documents (including the one-page Clinical Resume Document).
- Review your application and click 'Submit My Answers' to submit your package.
Additional Information
- This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
- VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.
- Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for EDRP.
- The 2-page resume requirement does not apply to this position; see Required Documents for details.
- All HCP must receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons; face masks required if exempted.
- Agency contact: Valen Meade, [email protected], VA New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ 07018.
- Check application status anytime by logging into your the official application portal account and clicking on Applications.
- This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
About Company
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care to over 9 million Veterans each year.
The Lyons VA Medical Center, part of the VA New Jersey Health Care System, delivers complete mental health and primary care services to Veterans in New Jersey. This Staff Psychiatrist role is embedded in the telemental health team, offering a modern, flexible approach to outpatient care.
Working at VA means joining a public service organization dedicated to serving those who served, with access to modern resources, interdisciplinary collaboration, and federal benefits that support work-life balance. Veterans Health Administration, Lyons VA Medical Center is named as the hiring organisation for the Physician (Psychiatrist) post.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common applicant questions about this position, eligibility and the application process.