The psychologist will provide diagnostic interviews, assessments, psychotherapy, and treatment coordination for adult patients with mood, anxiety, and personality disorders, and a range of general mental health issues who are being followed on Primary Care Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT). In addition, they may complete psychological and cognitive assessments as relevant to patients serviced through PACT. *A recruitment incentive may be authorized for a well qualified applicant* 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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: 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. The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. 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. NOTE: The applicant must provide an official transcript and/or certificate documenting the completion of the re-specialization program, which includes completion of an APA or CPA internship. OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. AND 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. Exception: Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a "graduate psychologist" at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 [(c)(2)(B)] for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a psychologist who is licensed. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Staff Psychologist (Entry Level) Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 Staff Psychologist (Developmental Level) Experience. At least 1 year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Psychologists who are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist but with less intense supervision than at the GS-11 grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations. 2. Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies. 3. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures. 4. Ability to conduct research activities, such as designing and implementing clinical research projects (staff psychologists with specified research job duties). 5. Ability to perform basic research tasks of scholarship and research execution within the context of an established research team, including research participant relations, research documentation, data acquisition, maintenance, and collaboration (staff psychologists with specified research job duties). GS-13 Staff Psychologist (Full Performance Level) Experience. At least 2 years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations. 2. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health. 3. Knowledge of clinical research literature. References: VA handbook 5005 Part II appendix G18 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-13. Physical Requirements: This is a psychology position in which the incumbent provides mental health interventions in an office setting. The position requires verbal conversation, sitting for up to 2 hours at a time (therapy). Typing at a keyboard (computer work). Lifting materials such as manuals and books. ["This is an OPEN CONTINOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. We are accepting applications on an ongoing basis; applicants will be reviewed on a weekly basis, as long as vacancies exist. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Clinical Responsibilities: Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services that are integrated within a primary care setting including assessment and using the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care. Performs evaluations for patients with mood, anxiety, and personality disorders, and a range of general mental health issues that are integrated on Primary Care PACT Teams. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions including individual, couple/family, and group psychotherapy; psycho-educational groups (i.e. anger management, coping skills); and treatment coordination. Uses evidence-based interventions. Consults with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. Attempts to stay current with assessment and therapy techniques by reviewing and/or participating in research; and by promoting, initiating, assisting, or engaging in program evaluation and/or basic and applied research activities. Academic/Teaching/Training: May hold faculty appointment at affiliated university (i.e. University of Minnesota). May be Involved in Psychology Training Program and Training Committee. Provides leadership guidance and consultation to staffs of units to which assigned. May be involved in the training of psychology practicum students, interns, and postdoctoral fellows Serves as a consultant to other medical center staff and trainees and assist in their formulation of the psychological characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations regarding their patients. Research/Program Evaluation: Oversees the establishment of program monitors and outcome measurements within programs assigned using a data-driven quality assurance process. Is responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system, as appropriate. If applicable, plans and oversees the completion of personal research programs, designed to provide information regarding program planning and relevant treatment approaches. May present outcome data and research results at VA and regional or national scientific or professional meetings. Other Significant Responsibilities: a. Serves on Medical Center and committees or task forces as assigned Work Schedule: M-F, 8:00AM - 4:30PM Telework: Telework, if approved, will be on an Ad-Hoc basis only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Recruitment Incentive: Authorized for a well-qualified applicant EDRP Authorized: Contact vhavisn23edrp@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
