Summary

The psychologist will be a key member of the Trauma Recovery Division providing outpatient psychological assessment and evidence based psychotherapy to Veterans presenting with a broad spectrum of diagnoses - specifically trauma related conditions and substance use disorders. Solid assessment and treatment skills are needed to work with Veterans providing best practices - evidence- based - time-limited treatments.

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
• 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
• Grade Determinations: 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of - and ability to apply - professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations
• Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health
• Knowledge of clinical research literature
• Preferred Experience: Experience with trauma EBP such as Cognitive Processing Therapy or Prolonged Exposure and working with SUDs
• 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-13
• 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 so as to move around workspace safely and to appropriately make contact with patients and staff.

Duties

• VA Careers - Psychologist: https://youtube.com/embed/77qHlLw9Xck Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Psychologist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Psychology-Career-Flyer.pdf At the GS 13 level - the following clinical activities are expected in the assignment for Staff Psychologists: At the GS 13 level - the following clinical activities are expected in the assignment for Staff Psychologists: Ability to diagnose mental health disorders by conducting psychological assessments to include clinical interviewing - objective and projective testing
• Ability to treat mental health disorders through a variety of evidence-based psychotherapies to include modalities of group and individual psychotherapy
• Provides PTSD/SUD related education to patients - family members and significant others
• Performs evaluations for Veterans presenting for treatment with a variety of addiction and trauma related issues - to include PTSD and Personality Disorders
• Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions (e.g
• group and individual psychotherapy) and demonstrates competency in a least one evidence-based psychotherapy such as Cognitive Processing Therapy - Prolonged Exposure Therapy - COPE and/or MI/MET
• Consults with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues
• Provides consultation to professional staff within the ACC and to community providers - concerning clinical assessment findings and appropriate treatment plans for patients diagnosed with PTSD and an SUD
• Staff psychologist may be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities
• Enriching Elements Assists in establishing program monitors and outcome measurements within programs assigned using a data-driven quality assurance processes
• Is responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the ACC - as appropriate
• If applicable - plans and oversees the completion of personal research programs - designed to provide information regarding program planning and relevant treatment approaches
• Presents outcome data and research results at VA and regional or national scientific or professional meetings
• Assists in preparation of RFP's and grant proposals - as assigned
• May hold faculty appointment at an affiliated university
• May provide training opportunities to various disciplines (PA students - Psychiatry Residents - Family Practice Residents - Nursing Students)
• May serve 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
• Staff psychologist may be involved in the training of psychology practicum and/or interns - and other staff as requested
• Staff psychologist may be involved in supervising non-licensed psychology staff for licensing purposes
• Other Significant Responsibilities Will attend weekly BH & BSS and Trauma Recovery and Recovery Services meetings
• May serve on ACC or Healthcare System - VISN - and/or National VA committees or task forces
• May be asked to be a VACO PTSD Program Mentee
• May represent psychology on decision-making committees at the Medical Center or Healthcare System
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 8:00AM-4:30PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Relocation Incentive: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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 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 $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 #: 92037-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized