Senior Psychologist; Service Chief - Mental Health

Overview

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT open until September 30, 2026. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. This is a multi-disciplinary position – a selection can be made from one of the following:
Senior Psychologist Program Manager or Chief Physician.

• United States Citizenship (non‑citizens may only be appointed when no qualified citizens can be recruited).
• English Language Proficiency:
  Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as per VA Handbook 5005.
• Licensure:
  Hold a full, current, unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia.
• Education:
  
  Have a doctoral degree in psychology from an APA, PCSAS, or CPA accredited graduate program (detailed requirements omitted for brevity).
• Other educational and internship requirements as per VA policy (detailed list omitted).
• Experience:
  
  At least four years as a professional psychologist, with at least one year at a GS‑14 level.
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities: supervision, interpersonal relationships, application of qualification standards, development of productivity standards, communication of goals, etc.
• Preferred experience:
  
  leadership experience.

• Define mission and vision of the mental health program.
• Develop scope of practice, design plans of care, and ensure implementation of quality improvement measures.
• Manage the mental health service line at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.
• Make independent professional decisions and recommendations.
• Advise management on clinical and administrative issues within the mental health service line and the medical center.
• Serve as a consultant and advisor to subordinates, peers, and administration.
• Allocate resources, ensure efficient operation of the unit, and coordinate with other services to accomplish medical center goals.
• Provide leadership, independent assessments, and policy recommendations requiring decision and action.
• Prepare special reports, congressional responses, briefing papers, issue briefs, and decision papers for medical center leadership.
• Develop policies, procedures, performance standards, position descriptions, and functional statements.
• Conduct performance appraisals and manage staff to meet mission and goals.
• Supervise and manage resources significantly affecting veteran care.

• Competitive salary with regular increases.
• Paid time off: 37–50 days of annual paid time (including leave, sick leave, and federal holidays).
• Parental leave: up to 12 weeks paid after 12 months of employment.
• Child‑care subsidy: up to 25 % of eligible costs for qualifying employees.
• Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and 401(k) with up to 5 % contribution match.
• Federal health, vision, dental, life, and long‑term care insurance.
• Telework available (ad‑hoc).

Director

Full‑time

Health Care Provider

Government Administration

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range: $–$ per year.