Staff Psychologist -Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Team

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Award amounts are up to $200,000 and the eligibility period is one to five years, determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after a complete review of the application.

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.

• United States Citizenship. Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy.
• Education:
  
  Must have a doctoral degree in psychology from an APA, PCSAS, or CPA accredited graduate program, or a doctoral degree in any area of psychology with a successful re‑specialization program that meets the same accreditation standards and is consistent with the assignment.
• School psychology degrees are not eligible for appointment in VHA.
• Doctoral degrees awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally‑accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature are also eligible.
• Internship Requirement:
  Must have successfully completed a professional psychology internship accredited by APA or CPA at the time of completion, or one of the other acceptable internship options listed below.
  • New VHA psychology internship programs applying for APA accreditation, sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations.
  • Full‑time one‑year pre‑doctoral internships prior to PL 96‑151 (pre‑1979).
  • Internships not accredited by APA or CPA may be considered eligible only if the individual is currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area consistent with the assignment. Board certification must be maintained.
• Licensure:
  Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or D.C., or be granted a temporary appointment as a “graduate psychologist” under 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B) for up to two years, provided they practice only under supervision of a licensed psychologist.
• English Language Proficiency:
  Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, § A, paragraph 3j.
• Grade Determinations:
  • Staff Psychologist – GS‑11 (Entry Level):
    No additional experience beyond basic requirements.
  • Staff Psychologist – GS‑12 (Developmental Level):
    At least one year of experience as a professional psychologist at the GS‑11 level, or supervised practice under a licensed psychologist for unlicensed candidates.
  • Staff Psychologist – GS‑13 (Full Performance Level):
    At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS‑12 level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
  Must demonstrate proficiency in applying a broad range of professional psychological treatments and assessment methods, designing and implementing effective treatment strategies, incorporating new clinical procedures, conducting research activities, and performing basic research tasks within a research team.
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Delivery of psychotherapy and collaboration on interdisciplinary teams.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/.
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑11, with actual selection grade ranging from GS‑11 to GS‑13.
• Physical Requirements:
  
  See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

• Provide a full range of diagnostic and evaluation services, especially general psychological evaluation of emotional and behavioral problems and suicide assessment.
• Deliver psychological interventions consistent with training and expertise, with emphasis on evidence‑based treatments for veterans individually or in group format, using standardized…