Staff Psychologist (Inpatient

Psychologist Position

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2026 or until filled. Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis. A RECRUITMENT OR RELOCATION INCENTIVE MAY BE AUTHORIZED

The duties listed are GS-13 Full Performance Level, GS-11 and GS-12 duties will differ in complexity and level of supervision. The High Intensity Psychiatric Unit (7W Inpatient Mental Health) is a 16-bed acute crisis stabilization program with an average length of stay of six days. The staff psychologist will provide direct patient care for Veterans with a broad range of presentations including mood disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, psychosis, substance use disorders, personality disorders, and cognitive disorders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Direct Patient Care:
  Perform diagnostic evaluations for mental health disorders, including sub-specialized psychological assessments as clinically indicated for veterans hospitalized on a 16-bed acute inpatient mental health unit. Deliver a full range of brief individual psychotherapy and group psychotherapeutic interventions utilizing evidence-based practices.
• Consultation &
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Collaborate with multidisciplinary staff (attending, fellow, and resident psychiatrists, medical students, nursing, and social workers) on patient care issues and providing treatment to high acuity patients.
• Age-Specific Interventions:
  Assess, interpret, and provide care tailored to the cognitive, emotional, and physical maturation needs of diverse veteran age groups (ages 18 to end-of-life).
• Teaching & Training:
  Provide clinical instruction and supervision to psychology practicum students and interns as required.
• Program Coordination:
  Responsible to develop and implement recovery-oriented inpatient group programming for the unit.
• Academic setting:
  The inpatient mental health unit is a teaching site for Psychology interns, Psychiatry residents, Addiction Psychiatry fellows, medical students, and successful applicants are eligible to pursue an academic appointment at the University of Washington.
• Research and innovation:
  There is ample opportunity to become involved in research at VA Puget Sound within our Psychology or Psychiatry divisions and for the development of new research projects.
• Provide education to patients and family members regarding mental disorders and best practices approaches to treatment.
• Provide evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions as indicated and appropriate for the specific job setting and duties of the psychologist, which may include individual, family, and group psychotherapy and psychoeducation.
• Provide consultation to health care providers about assessment findings and treatment plan for patients to ensure care is coordinated, collaborative, and integrated within the Medical Center.
• Develop policies, procedures, and guidelines related to the management and provision of care of patients related to the management of care.
• Develop, enhance, and track new initiatives, monitor effectiveness, and modify as needed to meet care needs.
• Co-lead development and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) required to meet Joint Commission standards.
• Provide education, training, and supervision for trainees including the psychiatry residents, addiction psychiatry fellows, addiction medicine fellows, psychology fellows, chaplain fellows, and various trainees from the social work department in the provision of group therapy on the inpatient unit.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule:

Mon - Fri, 8:00am to 4:30pm.

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus):
Authorized if starting on or before 11/15/2026.

EDRP Authorized:
Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgram

Support, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. 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 Federal holidays per year).

Parental Leave:
After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy:
After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement:
Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.

Insurance:
Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).

Telework:
Not available.

Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS):
Not authorized.