Staff Psychologist

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Recruiting for multiple specialties under Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences : PCMHI TRP PTSD / SUD Suicide Prevention Health Behavior Coordinator.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification / licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements : United States Citizenship Education Have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the program was completed.

OR Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a re-specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the re-specialization program) meeting both of the following conditions : The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program;

and, the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.

OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.

Internship Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.

• OR New VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement, provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern;
• OR VHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement;

OR Applicants who completed an internship that was not accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed may be considered eligible for hire only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.

NOTE : Once board certified, the employee is required to maintain board certification.) OR Applicants who have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature may fulfill this internship requirement by having the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience in a site specifically acceptable to the candidate's doctoral program.

If the internship experience is not noted on the applicant's official transcript, the applicant must provide a statement from the doctoral program verifying that the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience was completed in a site acceptable to the doctoral program.

Licensure : Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

English Language Proficiency : Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations : In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

Staff Psychologist GS-13 (Full Performance Level) Experience : At least two (2) years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one (1) year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.

References : VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005 / 103 Part II Appendix G18 Psychologist Qualification Standard.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements : The work requires patience and emotional regulation.

The work may require using appropriate techniques to physically restrain patients who present a danger to self or others.

The work may also require assisting physically disabled Veterans. Day-to-day work involves sitting, walking, standing and carrying light objects.

Some of the work is performed in a setting away from the office, where the environment cannot be controlled. " Psychologist : Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences is recruiting for multiple specialties including PCMHI, TRP PTSD / SUD, Suicide Prevention, and Health Behavior Coordinator.

Duties may include, but are not limited to : PCMHI : Performs psychological assessment, triage, and brief psychotherapy for individuals seen in a primary care and medical setting.

Conducts reviews of medical records, as necessary for the purpose of coordinated and informed patient care. Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including the use of psychological testing for patients, including cognitive screenings.

Provides a range of psychological therapeutic interventions with individuals with mental health and medical disorders utilizing empirically supported modalities when indicated.

TRP PTSD / SUD Provides a full range of psychodiagnostic services including psychological assessment services and diagnoses mental disorders, working with complex patients seen in the Trauma Recovery Program and Substance Abuse Program.

Provides quality direct patient care that will include cognitive screening assessments, treatment planning, individual psychotherapy / assessment sessions, individual and group therapy sessions.

Provides education to patients, family members, and significant others related to psychological conditions and their impact, with particular focus on PTSD and co-occurring substance use disorders.

Suicide Prevention Assists Suicide Prevention Coordinator in the management of patients enrolled at the facility that are identified as high risk for suicide, including conducting risk assessments, drafting safety plans, initiating health and welfare checks, and reviewing high-risk status.

Contacts veterans who are flagged high risk and non-compliant with attendance to scheduled mental health and substance abuse appointments.

Health Behavior Coordinator The Health Behavior / Health Psychologist will have a primary clinical consultant role in health behavior coaching and is likely to work with clinical supervisors in carrying out consultation with allied health staff.

The incumbent will carry out appropriate consultation with discipline-specific leaders, and will be accountable to the ACOS for Ambulatory / Primary Care OR ACOS for Mental Health through the Lead Psychologist.

Provides consultation and training to Primary Care and Mental Health Service Line staff in the enhancing, maintaining, and supporting health behavior program for the promotion of health and prevention of disease and enhance patient self-management of chronic disease (, diabetes, COPD) to prevent secondary complications and improve long-term outcomes and enhance quality of life.

This work is carried out through training programs and through case discussion. Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 8 : 00 AM - 4 : 30 PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : May be authorized for specific specialties as determined by the agency / facility, not all specialties are authorized.

EDRP Authorized : Contact , the EDRP Coordinator for questions / assistance. Learn more Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off : 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

Parental Leave : After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy : After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $ Retirement : Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance : Federal health / vision / dental / term life / long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework : May be available as determined by the agency / facility.

Financial Disclosure Report : Not required"