Psychologist

Summary

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.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• The following are the basic requirements and qualifications for appointment as a Psychologist in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
• English Language Proficiency Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English
• Education Requirement - You must 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
• 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 completed a respecialization program meeting both of the following conditions: a) the respecialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and b) the specialty in which you were retrained is consistent with the assignment you are am applying for; OR, have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature
• Internship Requirement - You must 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)
• NOTE: 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 - Candidates must 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
• Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade level of the candidate
• GS-11 Grade Level (Entry Level)- Experience, Education, Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-12 Grade Level (Developmental Level)- Experience, Education, Licensure: At least one 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 to the education above the candidate must demonstrate all of 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
• GS-13 Grade Level (Full Performance Level)- Experience, Education, Licensure: At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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 *Experience is only creditable if it is post-doctoral degree experience as a professional psychologist directly related to the duties performed
• Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18 Psychologist Qualification Standard
• This can be found in the local Human Resources Office
• Preferred Experience: Experience in Mental Health
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.

Duties

"The incumbent provides a variety of psychological services to Veterans, including psychological assessment, diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment in the MH RRTP setting under the administrative supervision of the MH RRTP Director.
Provision of services will be conducted primarily through individual and/or group psychotherapy.
An emphasis is placed on evidence-based and best practice approaches.
The incumbent will serve in the MH RRTP as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
The psychologist will consult with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues.
In addition to these primary responsibilities, the incumbent may provide consultation or program oversight, be involved in program evaluation, training, educational activities, and other duties as assigned.
Clinical Functions: Conduct screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders with an emphasis on the application of goal-oriented, evidence-based approaches.
Administer, score, and review rating scales, questionnaires, or other measurement-based tools in an effort to assess emotional, functional or psychological conditions as well as establish Veteran-focused, individualized, treatment planning.
Administer and/or evaluate results of a full range of psychodiagnostic, intelligence, or personalities assessments and tests.
The incumbent will utilize interview data, comprehensive assessments, and observations in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders.
Provide psychological prevention services for those at significant risk for psychological problems.
Screen for cognitive deficits to address specific functional questions or to determine if a referral is indicated for a medical or neuropsychological evaluation.
Provide psychological interventions to manage pain, disability, address sleep problems, facilitate weight loss, promote smoking cessation, and enhance medical compliance.
Monitor treatment progress using measurement-based tools and recommending adjustments to the treatment plan as appropriate.
Perform assessments when there are questions about a Veteran's ability to make medical decisions, perform specific functions, or live independently.
Provide services to the families of Veterans when such care is directly related to the overall treatment plan for the Veteran and will allow better care for the Veteran or will allow the family to sustain the Veteran in the home environment.
May provide services through the use of tele-mental health technology.
Must possess and demonstrate ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds.
Administrative functions: Is responsible for supporting the mission, policies, and procedures of the Department of Veteran Affairs, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the appropriate Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and the facility.
Is willing to serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility as deemed appropriate by the supervisor.
Is responsible for furthering one's own professional growth through continuing education and for ensuring continuing education appropriate to the area of assignment.
Is able to maintain a level of productivity and quality consistent with the complexity of the assignment and consistent with Office of Mental Health Operations.
Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Telework May be Available Based on Organization Needs.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: EDRP Authorized: Contact emily.pabon@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"