Associate Chief of Mental Health (Inpatient Psychiatry)

Quick Facts

• Role: Associate Chief of Mental Health (Inpatient Care)

• Focus: Senior clinician/medical director for inpatient mental health services

• Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm

Description

The Associate Chief of Mental Health serves as a senior clinician/medical director for Mental Health, combining clinical psychiatric care with administrative and operational leadership for inpatient mental health units. The role works closely with the Chief of Mental Health to ensure optimal service functioning, including strategic planning, operational priorities, resource deployment, quality improvement, performance outcomes, and team-oriented care for Veterans. The position provides oversight of medical care across the Mental Health Service and contributes to senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• First-line supervisory responsibility for supervisors across: Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program, Outpatient Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, and Access Crisis Team

• Oversee program functions, monitoring quality and service delivery

• Collaborate with the Chief to drive strategic planning, set operational priorities, deploy resources, and engage in quality improvement and performance measure outcomes

• Participate in Clinical Leadership Meetings as part of the Mental Health senior leadership team

• Complete required quality measures and reports requested by VASLCHCS, HSA, and VA Central Office

• Partner with medical directors to ensure program quality and outcomes across the mental health service lines

• Hold daily/weekly team meetings (e.g., Daily Care Coordination) to staff Veterans and resolve clinical and administrative issues

• May cover for the Chief of Mental Health during absences

• Serve on VASLCHCS Performance Standards Board, Clinical Executive Board, and Peer Review Board

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual performance bonus

• Paid Time Off: 50–55 days per year (annual leave, sick leave, paid federal holidays, and possible CME absence)

• Federal retirement: traditional pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions

• Insurance: federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care options

• Licensure: support for 1 full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory

• CME reimbursement: possible $1,000 per year (with board certification and full-time status)

• Malpractice coverage: free liability protection with tail coverage provided

• Contract: no physician employment contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting