Psychiatrist: joining pioneering VA initiativeredefining Veteran recovery

This position is part of the newly developed National Center for Warrior Independence at West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, combining medication management, supportive psychotherapy, and comprehensive evaluation within a multidisciplinary team.

Specialized SUD Psychiatric Care :
Conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations for Veterans with substance use disorders, including co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) :
Initiate and manage pharmacologic treatments, including buprenorphine and other MAT options, in line with VA policy and clinical guidelines

Dual Diagnosis Expertise:
Deliver integrated care for Veterans with co-occurring mood, anxiety, trauma-related, and psychotic disorders

Interdisciplinary Collaboration :
Work closely with the SUD team to coordinate individualized treatment planning and monitor patient progress

Flexible Follow-Up Care :
Engage in group or individual psychiatric follow-up as clinically indicated

Consultative Role :
Serve as a resource to other providers and teams on the diagnosis and management of substance use and co-occurring disorders

Team-Based Practice :
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, case reviews, and clinical huddles supporting integrated treatment delivery

Patient Safety Focus :
Contribute to suicide prevention through risk assessments, safety planning, and coordinated care

Innovative Care Setting :
Join the newly developed National Center for Warrior Independence at Greater Los Angeles VA, combining medication management, supportive psychotherapy, and comprehensive evaluation within a multidisciplinary team

Ground-Floor Opportunity

• Join a newly established, high-visibility national initiative on the West LA VA campus, built from the ground up as a flagship model for veteran care nationwide
• The center is aimed at providing housing, substance-abuse treatment, and work support to up to 6,000 homeless veterans by 2028, giving SUD psychiatrists a direct role in one of VA's largest addiction-and-recovery efforts.
• The center's design combines comprehensive care, including substance abuse treatment and mental health services, alongside job training and housing support, positioning psychiatry as a core part of an integrated recovery pathway rather than a siloed service.
• This is envisioned as a national model for other VA facilities to follow, so clinical approaches developed here have influenced well beyond Greater LA VA.
• The campus is undergoing major redevelopment, including phased construction of new housing units, with more than 1,065 units expected by February 2028 and 630+ additional units in active development - signaling sustained investment and expansion of clinical capacity over time.
• The initiative involves coordination with HUD and HHS, alongside VA, to build nationwide referral pathways and comprehensive wellness, job training, and addiction recovery programming, offering psychiatrists exposure to a broader systems-level approach to veteran homelessness and recovery.
• Los Angeles has one of the highest concentrations of homeless veterans in the country, with about 3,000 veterans experiencing homelessness in LA as of 2024, meaning the clinical work here has an outsized impact on a population most in need of specialized SUD/dual-diagnosis care.

Full-time / On-site

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine
• Current, full, and unrestricted license
• Completion of residency in an accredited core specialty
• Board Certified or Board Eligible
• Addiction Medicine Fellowship or Trained
• Preferred:
  Addiction Board Certification

• Salary Range: $265,000-$310,000
• PTO: 50-55 days of PTO annually (26/13 days of annual/sick leave, 11 holidays,)
• Malpractice:
  Free liability protection with tail coverage provided.
• Dental, Medical, Life Insurance, Pension, TSP (401K) with 5% match, Survivor Benefits
• Up to $1,000 or more annually and up to 5 days paid absence for CME
• Recruitment Incentive
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) up to $200,000 in qualified loan reimbursement
• Service without strings:
  No employment contracts or restrictive covenants
• Opportunity for UCLA Geffen School of Medicine Faculty appointment
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

This posting represents the major duties, responsibilities, and authorities of this…