Description
Title: Psychiatrist
State Role Title: Physician II
Hiring Range: Starting Salary $315,000 (Salary commensurate with experience)
Pay Band: 8
Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop
Location: Western State Hospital
Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Highlights
Incentives Available:
- Generous moving and relocation reimbursement
- Sign-on bonus of $15,000 for employees new to the state service or who have not worked for DBHDS in the past 12 months, with a one-year commitment
- Retention bonus of $10,000 on one-year work anniversary with an additional one-year commitment
- Competitive Pay starting at $315,000 (salary commensurate with experience)
Location: Western State Hospital
103 Valley Center Drive, Staunton, VA 24401.
Who We Are
Western State Hospital, part of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), has been a leader in psychiatric treatment since 1828. WSH is a 302-bed Joint Commission/CMS-accredited psychiatric facility located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Just 30 minutes from vibrant university towns, our hospital serves adults with serious mental health needs and is nationally recognized for our Psychosocial Rehabilitation “Learning” programs.
WSH provides a modern clinical setting and a therapeutic environment for patients, supported by highly qualified staff. Employees also enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Shenandoah Valley, with nearby cities such as Charlottesville and Harrisonburg offering dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities, making Staunton an attractive place to live and work.
Position Overview
Western State Hospital is seeking a psychiatrist to serve as a Head of Treatment Team (HOTT). The Psychiatrist serves as a clinical leader, providing comprehensive psychiatric care to patients in an inpatient forensic and civil commitment setting. This position directs and supervises a multidisciplinary treatment team to ensure the development and implementation of effective, recovery-oriented treatment plans. In addition to delivering direct patient care, the role provides clinical oversight, administrative leadership, teaching and supervision of trainees, and active participation in medical staff and quality improvement activities to promote high standards of patient safety, clinical excellence, and continuity of care.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive psychiatric care to patients, including assessments, diagnostic reassessments, psychopharmacologic management, and individual, group, and family psychotherapy.
- Conduct patient and family interviews, provide education, obtain informed consents, and ensure accurate and timely clinical documentation.
Serve as Head of the Treatment Team, providing leadership and clinical oversight to the multidisciplinary team in the development and implementation of individualized treatment plans. - Supervise and guide interdisciplinary staff, including oversight of milieu therapy and clinical supervision of staff working with families.
- Review and approve treatment plans, physician orders, and emergency clinical decisions; provide clinical oversight and consultation to PMHNPs.
- Coordinate discharge planning and serve as liaison with community mental health centers and external agencies to ensure continuity of care.
- Provide cross-coverage for other units and Staff On-Duty Provider coverage as scheduled.
- Participate actively in Medical Staff meetings, hospital committees, quality improvement initiatives, and mandatory training to support organizational performance and patient safety.
- Supervise psychiatric residents and medical students and contribute to hospital-wide performance improvement and service delivery initiatives.
Benefits Include:
- Relocation reimbursement
- Sign-on bonus
- Retention bonus
- Health, vision, and dental insurance
- Retirement with cash match
- 13 paid holidays
- Paid time off (annual, sick, family/personal, and community service)
- Life insurance
- Malpractice coverage
- Potential eligibility for the Virginia Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program (BH-LRP), subject to program criteria and restrictions.
Minimum Qualifications
- Medical degree and completion of an ACGME-approved residency training in Psychiatry before the start of employment.
- Must possess an unrestricted license to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Virginia or obtain one before the start of employment.
- Current DEA registration or obtain one before the start of employment.
- Extensive psychiatric knowledge with strong clinical skills in assessment and treatment for acute forensic, civilly committed inpatient units, or extended care psychosocial rehabilitation services.
- Proven ability to lead and supervise a multidisciplinary treatment team.
- Strong administrative skills to collaborate effectively with hospital units and external agencies.
- Able to satisfactorily complete all required documentation on time with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) documentation requirements.
Additional Considerations
- EHR experience with Cerner
- Experience in teaching and clinical supervision of medical trainees.
- Previous experience working in state hospitals
- Forensic or Addiction fellowships
- Bilingual
- Board certification
- Veteran or veteran spouse
