Chief Medical Officer

Title: Chief Medical Officer

State Role Title: Physician Manager II

Hiring Range: Salary up to $415,000 (commensurate based on experience)

Pay Band: 9

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Incentives Available:
- Generous moving and relocation reimbursement
- Sign-on bonus of $15,000 for employees new to state service with a one-year commitment
- Retention bonus of $10,000 on one-year work anniversary with an additional one-year commitment
- Competitive Pay of up to $415,000 (salary commensurate with experience)
- $3,000 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) stipend


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 Chief Medical Officer (CMO). This leadership role will supervise full-time and part-time psychiatric providers, oversee all Medical Staff activities, and manage Primary Care, Admissions Office, and Pharmacy Managers. The CMO ensures that policies, procedures, and outcomes of healthcare activities comply with regulatory, legal, and medical standards.
Key Responsibilities:
• Ensure compliance with performance planning and evaluation systems, complete evaluations by deadlines with proper documentation
• Address and document performance, behavior, and attendance issues promptly
• Review cases at the request of treatment teams, CEO, CQO, and/or Patient Advocate; prepare written reports as needed
• Provide oversight of patient admission, risk assessment, treatment, transfer, and discharge processes
• Ensure Joint Commission and CMS standards for medical care and treatment are met with minimal citations
• Support quality educational experiences for trainees to enhance knowledge and interest in psychiatry
• Chair or participate in hospital and community committees, performance improvement teams, and collaborative initiatives
• Conduct regular rounds throughout the facility
• Flexible and willing to support the medical providers during times of critical need.
• Oversees medical provider unit assignments and manages on-duty coverage schedules to ensure continuity of care.
• Ensures the Admissions Department maintains adequate staffing and operates effectively 24/7.
• Overseas pharmacy operations to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, policies, and industry standards.
• Designs and implements a structured onboarding program for medical providers.
• Actively contributes to the recruitment and selection of qualified medical providers.

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

Minimum Qualifications

- Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy degree and completion of an accredited psychiatry residency training program
- Current, full, unrestricted license to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Virginia or eligible for a license.
- Active DEA registration prior to the start of work
- Current Certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Additional Considerations

- Clinical experience in hospital psychiatry with some familiarity with forensic psychiatry.
- Past administrative experience in hospital psychiatry.
- Experience supervising non-clinical departments.
- Bilingual in Spanish
- Veteran or Veteran Spouse

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Application Requirements: Applications and résumés for this position are accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System only. Interview decisions will be based solely on the information provided in your electronic application and/or résumé. Please ensure you clearly and specifically detail all relevant work experience; we will not make assumptions about your qualifications.

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code §§ 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at (540) 332-8300 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We strongly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply to the state application and respond accordingly.

Contact Information

Name: Samantha Leep

Phone: 540-332-8306

Email: samantha.leep@dbhds.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.