Conditions of Employment and Qualifications for Physician Position

Conditions of Employment

1. U.S. Citizenship: Only U.S. citizens are eligible for appointment. Non-citizens may only be considered if qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
2. Drug Testing: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Refusal to be tested will result in denial of employment.
3. Selective Service Registration: Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service System.
4. Language Proficiency: Applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.
5. Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a probationary period.
6. Background/Security Investigation: The position is subject to a background and security investigation.
7. Onboarding Process: Selected candidates will need to complete an online onboarding process.
8. Physical Examination: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination.
9. Vaccination Requirements:
   • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is mandatory for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
   • Participation in the COVID-19 vaccination program is required for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP). See “Additional Information” for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, candidates must meet both the basic and any additional requirements specified in the job announcement. Applicants who are in the process of completing training or obtaining licenses may be tentatively selected, but final employment is contingent upon meeting all requirements. Physicians currently employed by the VA who met the initial appointment requirements under previous standards are considered to have met the basic qualifications.

Basic Requirements

1. U.S. Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified U.S. citizens.
2. Education: Must possess a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or equivalent degree from a medical school approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the degree was awarded.
3. License: Hold a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. State, Territory, or the District of Columbia.
4. Residency Training: Completion of residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program, leading to board certification eligibility. Approved residencies include:
   • Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME),
   • Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),
   • Other U.S. residency training programs with a minimum of five years of verified practice in the U.S., if deemed appropriate by the local Medical Staff Executive Committee.
   Residents enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited programs who meet the basic requirements for appointment may be appointed as “Physician Resident Providers” (PRPs) on an intermittent or fee-basis. PRPs must be fully licensed physicians and will have a “scope of practice” allowing certain restricted duties under supervision.
5. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Preferred Experience

• Board Certification/Eligibility by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN).
• Experience in providing mental health care through telehealth modalities.
• Participation in a multi-disciplinary treatment team delivering comprehensive mental health services.
• Experience applying evidence-based psychiatry practices with patients who have complex illnesses.

Education

Candidates must have obtained their medical degree from:

• Schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or
• Schools approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association.

For foreign medical graduates, verification with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is required to ensure certification requirements are met.

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), which provides student loan payment reimbursement. Eligible candidates must apply within four months of appointment. Approval, award amounts (up to $200,000), and eligibility periods (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office. Former EDRP participants are ineligible for further EDRP incentives. For questions or assistance, contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov.

Additional Information

• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
• The VA’s policy does not deny employment based on financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
• This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
• The VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. Health-related positions are covered by Title 38 and are not subject to Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
• VHA Directive 1193.01 requires full COVID-19 vaccination for health care personnel, subject to legal accommodations. Remote workers infrequently visiting VHA locations are not included. Documentation of vaccination is required before the start date.

If you need an alternate method to submit documents or have trouble applying online, please contact the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the VA does not request criminal history before a tentative job offer. For more information and the complaint process, visit the Fair Chance Act page.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Your application will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications outlined above. Required documents include:

• Resume/C.V.
• SF-50 (if applicable)
• Supporting documentation as specified.

Errors or omissions may affect your consideration for employment. A formal pay-setting process will determine your salary, which may fall anywhere within the listed range for the vacancy.

Experience includes both paid and unpaid work, including volunteer experience. All qualifying experience, including volunteer work, will be credited.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks to verify information and assess candidate qualifications. Veterans’ Preference is given where qualifications are equal. Eligible Veterans should claim preference in the application questionnaire and provide supporting documentation. For more details, visit Feds Hire Vets – Veterans – Job Seekers – Veterans’ Preference.