This VA outpatient psychiatrist role involves general psychiatric evaluation, medication management, suicide risk assessment, and crisis intervention for veterans, with expected participation in resident and medical student teaching. The position offers up to $200,000 in loan repayment through EDRP, competitive federal salary with performance bonuses, and a Monday–Friday 8:00am–4:30pm schedule.
$350,000 SalaryDr market context available for comparison
$200,000 loan repayment support
Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm
11 weeks PTO or vacation disclosed
Outpatient · VA Medical Center (Veterans Health Administration) · Outpatient only
AI-structured from the official posting·View original
Posted pay vs real comps
$319k$350k$366k
Physician-reported range Reported median
Physician-reported range shown; the employer did not post pay for this role.
Compensation
Type
SalaryDr Market Context
Market context
$318,750 – $366,250
Structure
hybrid
Loan repayment
$200,000
PTO
11 weeks
$319k$350k$366k
Physician-reported range Reported median
This is SalaryDr Market Context computed from 24 verified physician submissions (region cohort). It is not the employer's posted pay. The employer did not disclose pay.
VA Medical Center (Veterans Health Administration)
Patient population
Veterans with psychiatric disorders including personality, emotional adjustment, mental illness, and psychosocial issues (homelessness, unemployment, poor family support)
Community snapshot
Peer median
$358k
92 reports · national
Active supply
11
1 in Austin, Texas
Transparent pay
2/11
state roles with reviewed pay
Work-life
4.8/5
6 physician reports
Cost of living
97
below U.S. avg (100) · BEA Regional Price Parities
Schools
-0.5
grade levels vs U.S. avg · NAEP 2024
92 SalaryDr Psychiatry reports in national show a $357,750 median.
11 active Psychiatry roles in Texas, including 1 in Austin, Texas; 2 include reviewed transparent pay.
Physicians in this comparison cohort report 4.0/5 average job satisfaction.
Questions to ask the employer
How is the $200,000 loan repayment structured — forgiven over time, contingent on service years, or paid up front?
What is the call schedule, and is call compensated separately or built into the base?
Generated from this posting's disclosed facts and the SalaryDr comparison — bring them to the first recruiter call.
Work Design
Schedule
Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm
Shift type
Days
Inpatient / outpatient
Outpatient only
Coverage model
Face-to-face encounters and VA Video Connect (telehealth)
Admin burden
Medical record documentation required; compliance with TJC, CARF, HIPAA, VA policies, and clinical practice guidelines
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until November 12, 2026 or until positions are filled. Eligible applications received will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 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 The psychiatrist will undertake a spectrum of clinical duties that include but are not limited to, providing general outpatient psychiatric treatment to patients with a vast array of mental health diagnoses involving clinical evaluation, Diagnostic determination and clarification, medication management and monitoring clinical response to treatment. The Psychiatrist Physician position duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: Performs psychiatric evaluations for veteran population in the general outpatient mental health clinic with a vast array of mental health problems including personality, emotional adjustment, or mental illness and may have psychosocial issues such as homelessness, unemployment, and poor family support network. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions including diagnostic assessment, medication evaluation and management, suicide risk assessments, crisis intervention, and overall care of patients with psychiatric disorders. Practice evidence based pharmacological interventions as deemed necessary for the treatment of mental illnesses with its goal of reducing psychiatric symptoms, improving interpersonal functioning and overall mental health. Ensures practice of psychiatric medicine is consistent with TJC, CARF, HIPPA, VA policies and procedures, clinical practice guidelines, national statutes and regulations, medical record documentation, and mandatory continuing education. Able to work effectively and in a collegial manner within a multi-disciplinary team comprising of other mental health professionals including but not limited to Psychologists, Social Workers, License Practicing Counsellors, Nurses and Peer Support Specialists. Participates effectively in team meetings and treatment planning conferences and collaborates with multidisciplinary team members that enhances coordination of comprehensive patient care. Orders diagnostic tests, consultations, discriminates between normal and abnormal findings and makes appropriate treatment decisions. Will be expected to participate in the teaching and supervision of residents and medical students. Psychiatric clinical care will be provided by face-to-face encounters or via using the VA Video Connect Modality. Performs other directly related clinical duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
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