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. 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. 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 re-specialization program meeting both of the following conditions: a) the re-specialization 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. 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: GS-13 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: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 1. Knowledge of and ability to understand and communicate existing policies and regulations. 2. Knowledge of and ability to utilize resource materials as well as ability to develop new materials when needed. 3. Ability to relate to individuals at many different levels both within and external to the organization. 4. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a diverse group of professional staff. 5. Ability to provide information about policy to various stakeholders or audiences in a useable and understandable manner. 6. Ability to develop and recommend new or revised policies that are consistent with organizational goals and objectives. *Experience is only creditable if it is post-doctoral degree experience as a professional psychologist directly related to the duties performed. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18 Psychologist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Extended periods of standing, bending and carrying light items such as books, medical records and paper is required. Walking long distance throughout the medical center, on units and between divisions is required. Conducting patient encounters in a community setting or in the patient's home environment may be required. Position often places the incumbent in a position of stress. Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent may come in contact with Veteran patients who are confused, intoxicated or have a contagious condition. Ability to drive a car and have a valid state license is required. Exposure to dangerous situations in the community from traffic accidents to crime is also possible. ["This position serves as the as Neuropsychology Fellowship Director and works closely with the Director of Clinical Training in the design, development, maintenance, and implementation of the neuropsychology fellowship, which recently received contingency accreditation by the APA as per initial application. The BVAMC is a training focused environment, and this position will involve supervision and perception of neuropsychology fellow, psychology interns, and psychology practicum students. The primary veteran population consists of OEF/OIF veterans who have sustained blast injuries and/or motor vehicle collisions during their service commitment. ABPP-CN applicants are preferred but all board-eligible applicants will be considered. Provides a full range of outpatient neuropsychological services to veterans who have sustained traumatic brain injuries in either combat or non-combat related events, and/or other conditions including but not limited to stroke, memory disorders, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy/seizures, and Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. Veteran population consists primarily of OEF/OIF veterans who have sustained blast injuries and/or motor vehicle collisions during their service commitment. Serves as supervisor and preceptor to neuropsychology fellow, psychology interns, and psychology practicum students. Serves as neuropsychology fellowship director and works closely with the Director of Clinical Training in the design, development, maintenance, and implementation of the neuropsychology fellowship. Oversees program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects to monitor the effectiveness of the neuropsychology fellowship program. Incumbent is deployed from the MHSL to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Program. Adheres to policies and procedures as set forth by the Chief of Mental Health Service. ABPP-CN applicants are preferred but all board-eligible applicants will be considered. Work Schedule: Friday; 5-day 8-hour tours or 4-day 10 hour tours negotiable. Evening or weekend work may be required based on service need. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: FS-488 EDRP Authorized: Contacttammyr.coates@va.gov , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.