Career Center

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education: (1) 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
• OR (2) 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
• AND Internship: (a) 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 (b) 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 (c) 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 (d) 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 (e) 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 temporary appointment as a graduate psychologist at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade under the authority of 38 USC 7405 for a period not to exceed two years of 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
• 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)
• All persons employed in VHA as a psychologist on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education (i.e. - degree and internship requirements) and licensure/certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• Employees grandfathered under this provision for this revision may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance journey) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions or beyond the assignment currently held for those being grandfathered to assignments above FPL
• Psychologists who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• Psychologists initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• NOTE: If psychologists who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• Grade Determinations: Staff Psychologist - GS-11 (Entry level) Experience: None beyond the basic requirements
• Staff Psychologist - GS-12 (Developmental level) Experience: 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
• Staff Psychologist - GS-13 (Full performance level) Experience: At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist - with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level
• Preferred Experience: Preference will be given to candidates with a strong background in geropsychology
• Reference: VA Handbook 5005/103 - Part II - Appendix G18
• 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
• 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: The physical demands of the work requires light lifting - under 15 lbs.
• Light carrying - under 15 lbs.
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking - Standing
• Both legs required
• Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• 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 The Community Living Center (CLC) encompasses several clinical emphasis areas including dementia - spinal cord injury/disorder - rehabilitation - and palliative/hospice care
• The staff psychologist functions as a full team member on assigned interdisciplinary teams - providing comprehensive assessment and intervention services for veterans residing at the CLC who are in need of psychological/mental health services
• Some of the duties include - but are not limited to
• Acts as fully functional and independent psychologist with the ability to engage in interdisciplinary treatment planning and provision of health care services to the veteran population(s) served
• Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services (e.g. - psychological/neuropsychological assessment) using the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques to meet quality care expectations
• Performs evaluations for depression - anxiety - dementia - and other behavioral and mood issues including substance abuse issues
• Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions for patients - caregivers - and families including assessing adjustment to illness/injury - coping style and its effectiveness - and the contribution of medical condition to current emotional functioning and vice versa
• Provides structured psychotherapy and counseling to address the adjustment and recovery goals of veterans and caregivers following evidence-based protocols when indicated
• Independently provides psychological services at all levels of complexity - and consults with peers and supervisors as appropriate
• Provides comprehensive behavioral and mental health services to veterans with complex and chronic disabling disorders - including veterans in advanced stages of chronic disease or nearing end of life
• Provision of services includes the following: screening - assessment - diagnosis - and treatment of depression and anxiety-related disorders - as well as other behavioral problems - with an emphasis on the application of time-limited - evidence-based interventions
• Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions to patients and family members
• Interventions will be both individually and group based
• May include services to veterans in the inpatient and outpatient settings
• Assessment and intervention for subclinical symptoms - such as dysphoria - anxiety - adjustment difficulties - including end of life issues
• Evaluation of cognitive deficits to address specific functional and capacity questions - and determine appropriate referrals (e.g. - neuropsychological workup) when indicated
• Capacity assessments to determine one's ability to make medical decisions - understand advanced directives - perform specific functions - or live independently
• Assisting staff in determining how to present treatment options and educational material to patients in a format they can understand
• Counseling with couples or families - when appropriate - to relieve relationship difficulties - provide support - or promote collaboration with the clinical team
• Other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: The primary tour of duty will be M-F 8am to 4:30pm
• The selectee may also be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis - based on patient care needs
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): MAY be authorized to highly qualified applicants
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): MAY be authorized to highly qualified applicants
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact the EDRP Coordinator (VISN8CCOE@va.gov) for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: Staff Psychologist CLC (GS-11/12/13) (81492F/81493F/81495F) Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.