Physician (Psychiatric Physician) Job in Prisons - Nationwide

Vacancy No. BOP-N-2025-0005 Department Justice, Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System
Salary $115,587.00 to $300,000.00 Grade 13 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/1/2024 Close Date 9/30/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Prisons - Nationwide


Summary

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.

Our highly skilled, diverse, and innovative workforce creates a strong foundation of safety and security. Through the principles of humanity and normalcy, we develop good neighbors.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

THIS IS A DELEGATED EXAMINING ANNOUNCEMENT OPEN TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS.

Duties

Serves as a Physician (Psychiatry) at a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) federal correctional facility.

Provides professional health care services for federal prisoners confined within a BOP facility and/or provides consultative services via BOP telehealth network.

Responsible for meeting the health needs (both physical and/or mental) of the inmates assigned to his/her caseload.

Responsible for providing psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and programs for patients suspected of having mental disorders.

Responsible for the development of the master treatment plan and mental health component of the ambulatory treatment plan and subsequent reviews for patients under their care and is directly responsible for the continuity of psychiatric care given to the patients assigned to their caseload.

In working with other members of the healthcare treatment team, provides psychiatric services to ensure optimal mental health for inmates and provides direction in achieving the psychological climate and environment conducive to the rehabilitation of the criminal offender.

Directly responsible for the prescription of medications to patients on his/her caseload, as well as writing orders for special procedures (e.g., suicide precautions, seclusion, restraint).

Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution. The staff correctional responsibilities precede all others required by this position and are performed one regular and recurring basis.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is Required.
  • See Special Conditions of Employment Section.
  • Selective Service Requirement: http://www.sss.gov

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP). The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified category using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: Click Here

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: Click Here

Qualifications

NOTE: In order to make a full and complete assessment of a candidate's work history for salary purposes, applicants are strongly encouraged to ensure detailed information on the following items is provided in their application.

Candidates should provide clearly delineated information on:

  1. Scope of present practice, i.e., direct patient care, supervision of subordinates, national consultant, etc.
  2. Complexity of current practice, i.e., forensic evaluation, neuropsychiatry, etc.
  3. Specialized training, if any (addiction, dual diagnosis, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CPT), or Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) training, psychosomatic fellowship training, etc.)
  4. Experience with special mental health programs, i.e., self-harm behaviors, gender dysphoria, etc.
  5. Primary (and secondary) board certification(s).
  6. Specific professional accomplishments, i.e., publications, university positions held, professional organization positions held, presentations, national psychiatry awards, etc.
  7. Multi-lingual capabilities as it relates to professional practice.
  8. Specific correctional psychiatry experience, if any.

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements.

Basic Requirements:

Degree: Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or equivalent from a school in the United States or Canada. This degree must have been accredited by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association; Association of American Medical Colleges; Liaison Committee on Medical Education; Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

Degree from Foreign Medical School: A Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree from a foreign medical school must provide education and medical knowledge equivalent to accredited schools in the United States. Evidence of equivalency to accredited schools in the United States is demonstrated by permanent certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, a fifth pathway certificate for Americans who completed pre-medical education in the United States and graduate education in a foreign country, or successful completion of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination.

AND

Licensure: Applicants must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a Physician from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

NOTE: ALL applicants MUST electronically upload proof of current, active, full and unrestricted license as a Physician, and proof of successful completion of an accredited graduate training internship, fellowship, or residency program for verification at the time you apply.

AND

Graduate Training: Subsequent to obtaining a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree, a candidate must have had at least 1 year of supervised experience providing direct service in a clinical setting, i.e., a 1-year internship or the first year of a residency program in a hospital or an institution accredited for such training. For purposes of this standard, graduate training programs include only those internship, residency, and fellowship programs that are approved by accrediting bodies recognized within the United States or Canada.

NOTE: If you are within nine (9) months of completing all residency/fellowship program requirements, you MUST electronically upload a letter from the Program Director verifying your current enrollment and your program projected completion date (MM,DD,YYYY).  If selected, you MUST provide another letter from the Program Director validating the completion date (MM,DD,YYYY) of all residency/fellowship program requirements to the Consolidated Staffing Unit.

All qualified successful candidates will undergo a credentialing process. This process includes validation of examinations, education, internship and residency. Please electronically upload these documents along with your required supporting documentation at the time you apply.

AND

Additional Requirements:

GS-13: Applicant must have three years of graduate training in the specialty of the position to be filled (Psychiatry) OR equivalent experience and training.

GS-14: Applicant must have four years of graduate training in the specialty of the position to be filled (Psychiatry) OR equivalent experience and training.

GS-15: Applicant must have five years of graduate training in the specialty of the position to be filled (Psychiatry) OR equivalent experience and training.

Some examples of this qualifying experience are:

GS-13:

  • Experience providing routine psychiatric treatment to patients.
  • Experience knowing the mechanism of action, side effects, toxic nature and drug interactions of prescription medications.
  • Experience in applying medical standards and regulations in assessing patient’s condition and appropriate care.
  • Experience preparing basic medical correspondence for various uses, such as physicals, referrals, and dictated history.

GS-14:

  • Experience performing techniques, procedures and treatment planning for recurring or non-complicated cases.
  • Experience in preparing reports for and/or testifies in the U.S. District Courts.
  • Experience performing in a clinical setting where exposure to infectious and contagious disease is common.
  • Experience providing a broad range of direct treatment services and by creating a psychological environment and climate conducive to rehabilitation of mentally ill offenders.

GS-15:

  • Experience monitoring and evaluating quality of patient care in accordance with administrative policies and other regulatory agencies.
  • Experience in providing clinical and administrative oversight to a specific area regarding key issues and potential solutions for services.
  • Experience in making diagnoses and selecting and providing appropriate treatment for emergency medications or emergency consults.
  • Experience in coordinating and providing training for a specific specialty.
  • Experience making recommendations on matters of policy, procedures, training, personnel, and equipment as related to specific area of responsibility and expertise.

If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid work. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as number of hours worked per week) spent in the activities.

**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application. *

Education

See Qualifications Section for education requirements, if applicable.

ONLY if education is a requirement/substitution for specialized experience, applicant MUST upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement. Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, Click Here.

Foreign Education: For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see Foreign Diploma and Credit Recognition at the U.S. Department of Education website: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

If you are selected for this position and qualified based on education (i.e. basic education requirement and/or substitution of education), you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty.

Additional information

ADDITIONAL SALARY INFORMATION:

Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is authorized at: 

  • FDC Honolulu, HI - 8.90% 
  • MDC Guaynabo, PR - 2.63% 

To contact a recruiter for further information, please Click Here.

To view current vacancies, Click Here

LENGTH OF ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants will remain on the inventory until the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

NOTE: This announcement is posted on a yearly cycle. The announcement will EXPIRE on the listed closing date at 11:59 Eastern Standard Time. In order to receive consideration for the next cycle, applicants MUST reapply to the new vacancy announcement.
 
Special Conditions of Employment Section:

Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a pre-employment and panel interview, urinalysis, physical, and background investigation.  All applicants are subject to, and must satisfactorily pass all screening requirements in relation to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and credit check.

All applicants not currently working in an institution will be required to complete a qualification inquiry regarding convictions of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence in order to be authorized to carry a firearm.

The Core Value Assessment (CVA) is an in-person assessment that must be facilitated at a Bureau of Prisons Human Resource Servicing office.  On the day of the scheduled interview, a CVA will be administered.  The applicant assessment must be completed within a 70 minute time period and a passing score of 68 must be obtained.  Further employment consideration will not be extended if the applicant fails to complete the examination or fails to achieve a passing score.  Note: The Core Value Assessment will not be administered to current BOP employees.

Successful completion of the "Introduction to Correctional Techniques," three-week training course at Glynco, Georgia is required.

Additional selections may be made if vacancies occur within the life of the certificate.

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Based upon your self-reported responses to the assessment questions during the application process, your application will be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Applications will be reviewed from the top quality category. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement. If you are found qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to the responses you provided on the online assessment questionnaire.

NOTE: Candidates within the top quality category and who are eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.

If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans preference you are claiming on your resume. Although veterans preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under "How You Will Be Evaluated", veterans preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified.

Experience that would not normally be part of the Federal employee's position is creditable when documented by satisfactory evidence (e.g., a memorandum from the manager, Human Resource Manager, SF-52, etc.) that includes specific timeframes (MM/YYYY) format and number of hours performing duties.

What Competencies/Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities are Required for this position?

The following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) are required for this position:

GS-13, GS-14 and GS-15:

  • Knowledge of the pharmaceutical procedures to treat diseases and illness to include a knowledge of the mechanism of action, side effects, toxic nature and drug interactions of medications.
  • Ability to assess patient's condition and initiate appropriate treatment.
  • Knowledge of medical standards and regulations.
  • Ability to relate and deal effectively with physicians, supervisors, peers and others.
  • Ability to communicate in writing, to include report preparation using technical data.
  • Ability to perform current techniques, procedures and treatment plans associated with psychiatric medicine.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

  • Veterans' Preference Documentation:  Veterans MUST provide a DD-214 demonstrating that they have been discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions (i.e., the individual must have received either an honorable or general discharge).
  • If you are on active duty and expect to be discharged or released from active duty service within 120 days, you may submit a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty from the appropriate Branch Personnel Office containing the following information: (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; (2) and the character of service (must be an honorable or general discharge); and (3) any qualifying service/campaign/expeditionary medals.
  • SF-15: If you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the parent of a disabled or deceased veteran, submit a completed Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference"; all other required documentation identified on the SF-15, in addition to the veteran's DD-214 described above.  A Department of Veterans Affairs letter must contain: the Veteran’s Name and Combined Service-Connected Evaluation.
  • Failure to submit all required documents at the time of application will result in the loss of claimed preference eligibility.
  • Resume: showing relevant experience (cover letter optional).
  • In order to receive credit for experience contained in an application, your employment history must be documented in month/year format (MM/YYYY), reflecting starting date and ending date and include the number of hours worked per week.  Failure to follow this format may result in disqualification.
  • College transcript: which includes the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). (Note:  If you are selected for this position, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day).
  • SF-50: for proof of prior LEO coverage, if applicable.
  • Copy of unrestricted license to practice medicine.
  • Proof of successful completion of an accredited graduate training internship, fellowship, or residency program.

USAJOBS Help Center - What should I include in my resume?

Failure to provide these documents could possibly result in removal from consideration for this vacancy.  If uploading documentation, do not identify/save your documents utilizing a special character such as %, #, @, etc.  Documentation should be identified/saved as VA Letter, DD214, or Transcripts.

We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software, delays in mail service, applicant application errors, etc.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

You must apply through the online application system at www.USAJOBS.gov. Follow the prompts to register, answer a few questions and submit all required documents.  

NOTE: Submission of a resume alone is not a complete application. This position may require the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described under the Required Documents section. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your application not being considered for employment.

Claiming Veterans Preference? If yes, you MUST claim preference on-line during the application process and upload documentation to support preference claimed. Failure to claim Veterans Preference or provide supporting documentation may result in you not receiving appropriate consideration during the assessment process.

Required supporting documentation must be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply. Documentation submitted via mail, fax, or email will NOT be accepted.

NOTE: Failure to follow these application procedures could result in the applicant losing consideration for this position.

Paper applications: If applying online is impossible, please contact BOP-Hires at the telephone number listed below, prior to the closing date of the announcement for the alternate application procedure.

Contact for Assistance in Applying On-Line:
DOJ, Federal Bureau of Prisons
Consolidated Staffing Unit
346 Marine Forces Drive
Grand Prairie, TX  75051
E-Mail:  BOP-HRM-HRSC-BOPHIRES-S@bop.gov
Phone:  972-352-4200

How do I Apply for this Position if I am a Current Public Health Service Commissioned Officer?

DO NOT SUBMIT AN APPLICATION ON-LINE AS A PHS APPLICANT.

  • Submit a complete/detailed resume or curriculum vitae.
  • Address selective factor, if required.
  • Resume or curriculum vitae must contain all information listed in the Qualifications Section.
  • Submit supporting documents (i.e. transcript, certification, registration, and/or license, if applicable).

In order to receive consideration for this position as a PHS applicant, ALL required supporting documentation, as specified in this vacancy announcement must be submitted directly to the Human Resource Office duty location.

Agency contact information

CSU/BOP-HIRES
Address
JUSTICE, BUREAU OF PRISONS
Consolidated Staffing Unit
346 Marine Forces Drive
Grand Prairie, Texas 75051
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Applicants will receive a Notice of Results once the application is successfully completed and submitted.  The status of the application process can be tracked by logging on to your USAJOBS account and select "Application Status". Applications will remain on the inventory until the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Applicants may contact the geographic location(s) selected to inquire about current or anticipated vacancies.  Contact numbers for location preference choices can be found at www.bop.gov.

The Bureau of Prisons cannot be held responsible for incompatible software, applicant application errors, etc.

Inquiry of Availability Forms (OF-5):


Applicants referred on a certificate of eligibles may receive an email sent to the e-mail address registered in their USAJOBS account with instructions to complete the Inquiry of Availability form (OF-5).  IF you receive the instructional email, you MUST read and follow the instructions in order to complete the inquiry process online. You must click submit to electronically return the form to the Human Resource Department.  In addition, applicants who are interested in scheduling an interview, MUST telephone the Human Resource Department.  Failure to either return the form or contact the Human Resource Department may result in not receiving consideration for the position.  The selecting official expects to make a final job offer within 80 days.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.