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 individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval – the award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) – is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services Program Office after a complete review of the EDRP application.

• United States citizenship (non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy).
• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA or CPA accredited program, or a Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) accredited program, at the time the program was completed.
• Degree specialty must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.
• Applicants with a doctoral degree in school psychology are ineligible for appointment.
• For those with a doctoral degree in any psychology area, completion of a re‑specialization program with documentation of an approved internship in an APA or CPA accredited doctoral program is required; the retrained specialty must match the assignment.
• Doctoral degrees awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally accredited institution with a primarily psychological dissertation are acceptable.
• Basic internship requirement: completion of a professional psychology internship accredited by APA or CPA at the time of completion and consistent with the assignment; or internship programs in the process of accreditation if sanctioned by VHA.
• Board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology may satisfy the internship requirement for unaccredited internships if the candidate is currently certified.
• Without a license, applicants may receive a temporary appointment as a graduate psychologist at the GS‑11 or GS‑12 grade under 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (c)(2)(B), subject to supervision and termination if licensure is not obtained within two years.
• Unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 – Part II – Chapter 3 – Section A – Paragraph 3j.
• For licensed psychologists: at least one year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS‑11) for GS‑12 appointments; at least two years of experience at the next lower grade level for GS‑13 appointments.
• Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities in applying professional psychological treatments, designing effective treatment strategies, incorporating new clinical procedures, and conducting research activities as appropriate to the grade level.
• Preferred experience:
  
  delivering psychotherapy and working as part of an interdisciplinary team.

• Perform a full range of diagnostic and evaluation services, especially general psychological evaluation of emotional and behavioral problems and suicide assessment.
• Provide psychological interventions consistent with training and expertise, emphasizing evidence‑based treatments for veterans individually or in group format, with appropriate documentation and measurement of effectiveness.
• Develop, implement, and document psychotherapeutic treatment plans for an assigned caseload, ensuring prompt completion of clinical reminders.
• Supervise trainees conducting direct clinical care.
• Handle administrative duties: scheduling, returning phone calls and secure messages, writing reports, and attending organizational meetings.
• Engage in ongoing professional training and development through workshops, intra‑VA assignments, and distance learning.
• Provide clinical coverage for absent staff members as deemed necessary.
• Comply with national and local performance measures, including timely health‑care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients.
• Maintain electronic medical record documentation, including timeliness standards and proper coding procedures.
• Attend and participate in administrative and informational meetings held by the…