Staff Psychologist

The Fargo VA Health Care System is recruiting for a full-time Staff Psychologist for Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) and Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) under the Mental and Behavioral Health Patient Service Line.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

This position is responsible for delivering direct psychological services to Veterans enrolled in Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) and addressing outpatient mental health needs through Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI). The integrated nature of this role facilitates expanded access to evidence-based behavioral health services within both home-based and primary care environments. This approach supports population-based care and aims to improve health outcomes for Veterans in rural areas.

The HBPC program offers comprehensive, interdisciplinary primary care services to Veterans with complex, chronic, and disabling diseases in their own homes. Beyond primary care interventions, the HBPC program provides palliative care, rehabilitation, disease management, and care coordination services. The primary focus is on Veterans in advanced stages of chronic disease, especially those at high risk of recurrent hospitalization or nursing home placement.

The psychologist serving in this role will deliver a wide range of psychological services, including screening; psychological, cognitive, and capacity assessments; psychotherapy; and prevention-oriented interventions. Additionally, the psychologist will offer evidence-based interventions to help HBPC patients manage and prevent behavioral aspects associated with behavioral medicine issues and promote medical compliance. This individual will be an integral member of the HBPC team, providing consultation services to other HBPC team members.

These activities will require travel and driving as part of the position's duties, ensuring that Veterans in various locations are reached efficiently.

This co-located, collaborative care psychologist position is part of the PCMHI program, situated within the primary care setting. The psychologist will operate as a member of multidisciplinary primary care teams, providing brief, consultation-based services to Veterans, primary care providers, and allied Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) members. The role emphasizes general service delivery for a broad spectrum of concerns, aiming to resolve issues within the context of primary care.

Behavioral health visits are designed to be brief (typically 30 minutes), limited in number (1–6 visits), and conducted within the primary care practice area. This structure ensures that Veterans perceive engagements with the behavioral health provider as a routine aspect of primary care services. The psychologist will work within the fast-paced environment of primary care teams, consulting with multiple Veterans daily.

The primary goals are to assist PACT members with the identification, treatment, and management of mental health and behavioral medicine conditions within the enrolled population and to ensure that appropriate referrals to specialty programs and community resources are made.

This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP Participants are ineligible to apply for the program. Contact VHA.ELRSProgram

Support for questions/assistance.

Work Schedule:

Monday‑Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus):
Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance):
Not authorized

EDRP Authorized:
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…