Summary

The psychologist applies advanced professional psychological diagnostic methods and evidence-based intervention strategies to a full range of patient problems in his work setting. The psychologist has advanced knowledge of psychological diagnosis - intervention - and behavioral health that qualifies her to provide advice and consultation to professionals representing a variety of disciplines.

Qualifications

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:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) 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
• 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
• 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:(a) the re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program
• and (b) 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
• 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)
• Internships
• 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
• 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
• 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: Psychology Program Manager - GS-14 Experience
• At least 3 years of experience as a professional psychologist - with at least one year equivalent to the GS-13 level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to organize work - set priorities - delegate tasks - and meet multiple deadlines
• Knowledge of and ability to utilize evidence based practices and clinical practice guidelines appropriately and ability to guide staff in using these tools
• Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds - interests - and points of view
• Skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives
• Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations
• Ability to establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards
• Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program
• Preferred Experience: Previous training and supervision of students or interns preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14
• Physical Requirements: The position is primarily sedentary - with some bending - walking - and stooping required
• This position requires the ability to read printed material and distinguish colors - such as reading computer screens and the ability to accurately perceive depth to move around workspace safely and to make appropriate contact with patients and staff.

Duties

• VA Careers - Psychologist: https://youtube.com/embed/77qHlLw9Xck Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Essential Administrative (Supervisory) Responsibilities Broad program management responsibilities for the Psychology Training Programs - which include the operation and management of a large key training program within the facility
• Oversight of administrative and programmatic resources of the Psychology Training Program which are highly specialized and complex
• Responsibility for development of background information and preparation of final drafts for the Station's response to any RFP that the medical center (through the ACOS-Education) decides to pursue for additional trainee positions
• Organize - direct - administer and manage all aspects of the program including comprehensive planning - developing and implementing policies and procedures - determining needs of the program - overseeing the quality and quantity of training - and establishing program initiatives and direction with the limitation of available staff
• Clinical Responsibilities Provides a full range of psychological services - including: Integrated - patient-centered mental health services and consultation for patients and staff within the primary care setting - specialty clinics - and satellite clinics (via telemedicine)
• Expert clinical consultation for various disciplines (e.g
• primary care - mental health - specialty medicine) and levels of training (MD - RN - etc.)
• Immediate - onsite - targeted assessment and evaluation - clinical triage - diagnosis - and evidence-based intervention for Veterans within facility medical clinics
• Psychological and behavioral intervention for full spectrum of mental health problems - chronic medical illness (diabetes - pain conditions - cancer - etc.) - and health interfering behaviors {obesity - smoking - non­compliance - substance abuse - etc.)
• Individual - group psychotherapy
• Academic/Teaching/Training Provides clinical supervision and instruction to psychology interns & doctoral level practicum trainees
• Teach in house seminars/didactics Superuser and responsible for training on EHMR for psychology trainees and other mental health staff
• Involved in the training of medical students - medical and psychiatric residents - nursing students and fellows - as appropriate
• Provides leadership - guidance - and consultation on staff education and development - as appropriate
• Orients - teaches and serves as a consultant to Primary Care and Medical Care staff and trainees and assists in their formulation of the psychological characteristics - behavioral change - and appropriate treatment expectations regarding their patients
• Research/Program Evaluation Responsible for timely completion of all program evaluations and documents required by the Medical Center - VISN and VACO - ensuring compliance with appropriate accrediting bodies such as Joint Commission
• Consults with others to offer guidance and stimulation in research directions for the program
• Plan and oversees the completion of research programs - designed to provide information regarding program planning and relevant treatment approaches
• Presents outcome data/research results at VA and national scientific meetings
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00AM - 4:30PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Lacey.Adkins2@va.gov - 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 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 $416.66
• 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: Available (Ad-hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 92929-O