Clinical Psychologist

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (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 appointment. Program 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 a complete review of the EDRP application. Qualifications United States Citizenship – Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy. English language proficiency – Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 – Part II – Chapter 3 – Section A – Paragraph 3j. Education – Must have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) – Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) – or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the program was completed, or meet one of the alternative pathways below: Doctoral degree in any area of psychology plus successful completion of a re‑specialization program that: was completed in an APA or CPA accredited doctoral program; and the re‑specialized specialty is consistent with the assignment being applied for. Doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally‑accredited institution with a primarily psychological dissertation. If the dissertation was not primarily psychological, evidence of a one‑year supervised internship at an acceptable site can satisfy the requirement. Internship – Must have successfully completed a professional psychology internship accredited by APA or CPA at the time of completion and consistent with the assignment, or be part of a VHA program that: was in the process of APA accreditation but sanctioned by VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the Office of Academic Affiliations; or offered a full‑time, one‑year pre‑doctoral internship prior to PL 96‑151; or completed an unaccredited internship but is currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty that matches the assignment. Licensure – Candidates must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia. Temporary appointment – Non‑licensed applicants who otherwise meet eligibility may be given a temporary appointment as a “graduate psychologist” at GS‑11 or GS‑12 under 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B) for up to two years, provided care is delivered under supervision of a licensed psychologist. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is grounds for termination. Grandfathering – Eligible only for current VHA employees who meet the criteria described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation. Grade determination – In addition to the basic requirements, grade is based on experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs), as summarized below. Experience requirements – At least one year of experience as a professional psychologist for GS‑11 (Entry Level) and at least two years for GS‑13 (Full Performance Level), with specified time at the next lower grade level. Licensed psychologists practice with reduced supervision at GS‑11 in the first year of the position. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – The candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs (detailed breakdown omitted for brevity but includes ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments, design and implement treatment strategies, incorporate new procedures, conduct research activities, and provide professional advice and consultation). Preferred Experience – Evidence‑based practices such as EMDR, CPT, and other PTSD‑related therapies. Reference – For more information on qualification standards, visit . Full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑13. Applicants may be selected at GS‑11‑GS‑13. Physical requirements include standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing, and may require personal protective equipment and annual TB screening. Work environment – Office/clinic setting with normal safety precautions; requires ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in sometimes stressful situations. Duties Ensure all healthcare system patients referred for psychological evaluation and/or treatment receive appropriate, comprehensive, unified, and timely services. Report directly to the ACOS – Behavioral Health Service Line or designee. Provide a full range of psychodiagnostic services including assessment and use of appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques for quality care. Deliver patient care through WC and CVT when appropriate. Perform evaluations for all veterans from all backgrounds and ages. Offer evidence‑based psychotherapy, cognitive‑intellectual‑achievement assessments, and personality assessments. Consult with medical‑center staff on wide variety of patient‑care issues. Assess and treat the full spectrum of mental‑health illnesses as assigned. Pursue and maintain VA‑sponsored training and credentialing as required. Adapt and develop new techniques and technologies (e.g., virtual care) to meet patient needs, and supervise trainees and interns in therapeutic methods. Teach psychological theory and practice to personnel of other services (physicians, nurses, social workers, etc.). Provide consultative services and resource support to other professional services involved in ward training programs. Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm (subject to change based on service needs). Recruitment incentive – Sign‑on bonus not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) – Not authorized. EDRP authorized – Former EDRP participants are ineligible for incentive. Contact View email address on click.appcast.io – EDRP Coordinator for questions. Pay – Competitive salary with regular increases; higher step rate may be determined for unique qualifications or special needs. Paid Time Off – 37–50 days of annual paid time per year (13–26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays). Parental leave – After 12 months, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Child‑care subsidy – After 60 days of employment, full‑time employees with household income below $144,000 may qualify for up to 25% of eligible childcare costs (max $416.66 per month). Retirement – Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution; federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care benefits. Telework – Not available; virtual care is not possible due to role requirements. Functional Statement #: 520‑02135‑F/01236‑F/01237‑F. #J-18808-Ljbffr