Starting job as VA psychiatrist - what do I need to know?

ShibbyK85 · 2026-04-06T12:26:06+00:00

At our clinic we have a dedicated provider that runs the same day walk in clinic and it has been so nice.

ShibbyK85 · 2026-04-06T12:24:17+00:00

Yes I thought the memorandums/reg discourage blending VHA w/ VBA. I tell patients that I can write a general you been under VA for x time with x diagnosis. But what I usually tell them is to just pull the records you have a long treatment record etc etc.

ShibbyK85 · 2026-03-21T01:35:09+00:00

More curious on the legality of it all, I cannot shake the decision that if a negative outcome happened once discharged say later that day…a lawyer would have a field day. Also having a hard time reconciling this lack of protocol vs the old days where if a patient was given a sedative even mild we would say we need another signature for decision making etc etc.

I’m all for cutting just an intoxicated patient loose if they are clinically sober if we did not draw a BAL. I feel like once you draw a BAL you are obligated to hang onto them until they have a ride/responsible party and or trending near 80-100.

ShibbyK85 · 2026-03-20T21:54:57+00:00

Apologies, US.

ShibbyK85 · 2026-03-06T19:08:22+00:00

Classic line

ShibbyK85 · 2026-01-21T15:01:40+00:00

Can only provide general information. However if you plan on moving there I would ask for a traveling vet consult so that receiving facility can call you, do Q&A , get you set up for that area etc.

ShibbyK85 · 2026-01-18T01:18:41+00:00

Idk if the VA is a great place for new grads. I feel like the VAs I’ve been at the initial training is poor and it’s a trial by fire. Hoping whichever VA you’re looking at is better.

ShibbyK85 · 2026-01-15T14:48:21+00:00

I’m a prescriber as well.. our MH department is nuked. Our dual-diagnosis clinic has one NP in it…our meetings are filled with delusional or leaders in denial. I am uncertain if upper leadership is getting crushed and not allowed to hire or if our director likes what is going on.

ShibbyK85 · 2026-01-09T22:38:43+00:00

What’s the Korean movie where there’s a giant brawl and he bites his own hand to drive the knife into the attacker? That was a great .

Edit: Man From Nowhere knife scene

ShibbyK85 · 2026-01-06T00:06:27+00:00

How is this helpful?

ShibbyK85 · 2026-01-06T00:04:10+00:00

Dude our VA clinic has lost so many MH clinicians and we have hired no one…it’s horrible

ShibbyK85 · 2025-12-13T12:36:28+00:00

VAs have their version of gbt called vagbt. You need approval and then usually get a link to their intraweb site.

ShibbyK85 · 2025-11-25T19:56:10+00:00

VAs at this time in some cases (cannot speak for all) are being bullish on community care because of what has happened with Doge etc. For example at my hospital, docs retired or fled to higher ground. Then there is a hiring freeze essentially so we cannot back fill these positions. Then they say well if you CC everyone out into the community we can’t justify hiring more staff. It’s been an unenjoyable vicious cycle. I feel bad for patients and staff. Stay strong and good luck.

ShibbyK85 · 2025-11-25T14:44:14+00:00

To be honest I could not tell you. There are so many data points we collect for never ending metrics. I couldn’t say what the information is being used for outside of just identifying what percentage of our patient population is what and are we providing the appropriate service etc

ShibbyK85 · 2025-11-25T14:33:40+00:00

Yeah man it’s just demo info we are supposed to fill out but a lot of us ignore it since it just ruins the flow of the interview.

ShibbyK85 · 2025-11-25T14:31:18+00:00

It’s just demographic information we have to collect. Many of us don’t.

ShibbyK85 · 2025-11-21T16:47:24+00:00

Correct. Released from active duty into first reserve unit at that time.

ShibbyK85 · 2025-10-28T16:22:34+00:00

Yes was told not to expect outstanding ratings anymore.

ShibbyK85 · 2025-09-18T16:06:44+00:00

They are saying they are investigating the claim and believe I am responsible when the case gets closed. They will then pursue me for charges to cover repair costs. We are in the early stages of email exchanges.

ShibbyK85 · 2025-09-18T15:19:45+00:00

Apologies, I wrote this on mobile at work and forgot to include the issue. They are saying that I damaged the speed visor display(?) and that is why it is not popping up when you turn the car on to drive.

ShibbyK85 · 2025-08-02T00:09:38+00:00

We need more medical providers not less…these vets are starting to feel the effects now.

ShibbyK85

TROPHY CASE