Staff Psychologist-Primary Care Mental Health Integration

Staff Psychologist—Primary Care Mental Health Integration

Join to apply for the Staff Psychologist—Primary Care Mental Health Integration role at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
.

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) is available for eligible applicants. Once appointed, submit your EDRP application within four months. Award amounts up to $200,000 over 1–5 years are determined through a review of the application.

• The announcement is open continuously and will remain open until May 11, 2026. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications is December 14, 2025. Applications received after that date may be referred at regular intervals until positions are filled.
• Applicants who have not yet completed required educational or licensing requirements can be tentatively selected but cannot be hired until all requirements are met.

• U.S. Citizen; non‑citizens may only be appointed when no qualified citizens can be recruited per VA policy.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA‑accredited program under the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System or from the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time of completion.
• OR a doctoral degree in any psychology discipline with a completed re‑specialization program (including an accredited internship) that is consistent with the assignment.
• OR a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 – 1978 from a regionally accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.
• Internship:
  Must have completed a professional psychology internship accredited by APA or CPA that is consistent with the assignment.
• OR internships in new VHA programs being applied for APA accreditation, provided they were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director and the Office of Academic Affiliations.
• OR pre‑doctoral internships prior to 1979 at VHA facilities.
• OR a current board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty consistent with the assignment. If not accredited, the applicant must be a board certified psychologist; once certified, the employee must maintain certification.
• Licensure:
  Must hold a full, current, unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or D.C.
• Exception:
  Non‑licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may receive a temporary appointment as a “graduate psychologist” under 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B) for up to two years. During this period the psychologist must provide care only under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. Failure to obtain licensure during the period may lead to termination.
• Grade determinations: GS‑11 requires no experience beyond the basic requirements. GS‑12 requires at least one year of experience as a professional psychologist at the GS‑11 level. GS‑13 requires at least two years of experience as a professional psychologist with at least one year at the GS‑12 level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  Knowledge of a wide range of professional psychological treatments and assessment methods; ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies; incorporate new clinical procedures; conduct research activities; perform basic scholarship tasks within a research team.
• Preferred Experience:
  
  VA experience is preferred. Familiarity with the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) within the VA is desired.
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Minor demands; requires sitting, standing, and walking. May require prolonged standing, moderate walking, and manual dexterity. Carry light items such as books, files, or a laptop.

• Provide virtual appointments for all CBOCs except Montrose, where the position will be based in office.
• Conduct functional assessment, triage, brief intervention, education, and consultative services upon referral from primary care providers and allied Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) members.
• Use population‑based practice management strategies and maintain competence in core domains: brief focused functional assessments (≤30 min); apply measurement‑based care assessments such as BAM‑IOP, PHQ‑9, PCL‑5,…