Postgraduate Physician Assistant Mental Health Residency
This residency is for Physician Assistants who recently graduated or for those who have clinical experience who want to further enhance their mental health/psychiatric knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs). This program will strengthen the Physician Assistant resident’s high ethical behavior, strong leadership skills, cultural awareness, unsurpassed professionalism, knowledge, and commitment to lifelong learning. On successful completion of the program, the Physician Assistant resident will have enhanced KSAs in the care of our veterans across all psychiatric settings.
Overview
Trained as generalists, Physician Assistants have the unique ability to work in different medical specialties throughout their career, including mental health. During this one-year program, the PA residents will develop additional Knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that enhance mental health care. The PA residents will also develop personal and professional growth through self-care and experience with interprofessional teams. With full participation and completion of the program, the PA residents will be prepared to take the examination for a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in psychiatry administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), pursue the Doctor of Medical Science (psychiatry concentration), or both if desired.
Objective:
The one-year post-graduate PA residency program in psychiatry will enhance the education and training obtained during the Master’s level Physician Assistant (PA) program.
Benefits
- Generous stipend: $83,185 for AY 2025-2026
- No application or tuition fees
- Vacation time and sick leave available
- Eligible for health insurance
- Liability coverage
- Potential for Education Debt Reduction Program if hired by VA *
*Determined by hiring location and position.
Health Professions Trainees (HPTs) are appointed as temporary employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. As such, HPTs are subject to laws, policies, and guidelines posted for VA staff members. There are infrequent times in which this guidance can change during a training year which may create new requirements or responsibilities for HPTs. If employment requirements change during the course of a training year, HPTs will be notified of the change and impact as soon as possible, and options provided. The VA Training Director for your profession will provide you with the information you need to understand the requirements and reasons for the requirements in a timely manner.
Educational Components
- PA Residency didactic lecture series
- Service-based specialty lecture content
- Grand Rounds
- Conferences*
- Faculty mentorship and supervision in clinical training
Required self-directed psychiatry CME
*Depending on funding availability*
Clinical Rotations during the training year may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Outpatient Mental Health Clinic
- Inpatient Mental Health Wards
- Substance Dependence Treatment Program
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Urgent Care Mental Health
- Community Living Center Mental Health
Perinatal Mental Health*
*Depending on preceptor availability*
Possible Additional Focus Areas
- ECT/TMS programs
- Mental Health Research
- Team-based, interdisciplinary care
- Mental Health Teaching/Academic Medicine
Important Dates
- Applications are accepted Jan 15 - April 15
- Interviews held in May by invitation only
- Notification of appointment no later than June 30
- Program year - September 1 through August 30
Application / Admission Requirements
Qualified applicants must have each of the following by the time of application:
- US citizenship
- Graduate from accredited ARC-PA Program
- NCCPA Certification or eligible for certification*
- Full, active & unrestricted medical license (Recommended)
* If accepted, you must graduate AND obtain NCCPA certification prior to residency start date.
Required Documents:
- Transcripts from PA program and any graduate-level programs
- Current NCCPA certification or eligibility for certification
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
Applying
Please submit applications/forms or questions via email to:
Jennifer Mayer, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C
Postgrad Physician Assistant Mental Health Residency Program Director
Email: Jennifer.mayer@va.gov
Chillicothe VA Medical Center
17273 State route 104
Chillicothe, OH 45601
Key Faculty
Dr. Jennifer Mayer, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C
Postgrad PA Mental Health Residency Program Director
Chillicothe, OH 45601
Email: Jennifer.mayer@va.gov
Dr. Iquo Nafiu, M.D.
Program Medical Director
Email: Iquo.Nafiu@va.gov