Staff Psychologist (Pain Clinic)

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, including 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. Qualifications To qualify for this position – applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. English Language Proficiency: Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 – Part II – Chapter 3 – section A – paragraph 3j. Education: Have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at program completion. The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. Specialty area definition: “specialty area” refers to the specific specialties recognized by the accrediting body, not to specific job duties that might require special skills. APA accredits doctoral programs in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, or combinations of two or more of those areas. PCSAS accredits doctoral programs in psychological clinical science. CPA accredits doctoral programs in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, clinical neuropsychology, and school psychology. There are no VHA job assignments that require the skills of a school psychologist; thus, an applicant with a school psychology degree is not eligible for appointment. For appointment as a psychologist in VHA, there is no distinction between the specialty areas (except for school psychology). OR Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a re‑specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship as part of the re‑specialization program) meeting both of the following conditions: The re‑specialization program must be completed in an APA or CPA accredited doctoral program. The specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally‑accredited institution with a predominantly psychological dissertation. Internships: Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program accredited by APA or CPA at the time of completion and consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. New VHA psychology internship programs in the process of APA accreditation are acceptable, provided they were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time of the internship. Pre‑1979, full‑time one‑year pre‑doctoral internships prior to PL 96‑151 are considered acceptable for the internship requirement. Applicants who completed an internship not accredited by APA or CPA may be considered eligible for hire only if they are currently board‑certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area consistent with the assignment. For those board certified, ongoing maintenance of certification is required. Grants: Staff Psychologist – GS‑11 (Entry Level): Experience – None beyond basic requirements. Staff Psychologist – GS‑12 (Developmental Level): Experience – At least one year of experience equivalent to GS‑11. Staff Psychologist – GS‑13 (Full Performance – Level): Experience – At least two years of experience, with at least one year equivalent to GS‑12. Licensure: Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. Exception: Non‑licensed applicants who meet other eligibility requirements 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)] for up to two years, subject to supervision by a licensed psychologist. Failure to obtain licensure during the temporary period is grounds for termination. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to diverse patient populations. Design and implement effective treatment strategies. Incorporate new clinical procedures. Conduct research activities (staff psychologists with research duties). Includes designing and implementing clinical research projects, data acquisition, documentation, and collaboration. Provide professional advice and consultation in professional psychology and behavioral health contexts. Knowledge of clinical research literature. Duties Act as a staff psychologist for the Pain Clinic at the Seattle VA Puget Sound Health Care System, providing evidence‑based treatments in a collaborative interdisciplinary setting. Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team that includes psychologists, medical clinicians, physical therapists, pharmacists, complementary and integrative practitioners, and other clinicians to support chronic pain management and improve patient functioning, well‑being, and quality of life. Clinical responsibilities (at GS‑13 level): Provide psychological assessment and diagnostic services for Veterans with a broad range of psychopathology. Demonstrate expertise in contemporary interview and psychometric assessment methods, and teach others. Educate patients and family members on relevant mental health concerns. Deliver evidence‑based psychotherapeutic interventions (individual, family, and group psychotherapy and psychoeducation). Consult with health care providers regarding assessment findings and treatment plans to ensure coordinated, collaborative, integrated care. Develop, implement, and document mental health treatment plans for an assigned caseload. Comply with all Service Line documentation requirements, including timely completion of templates for assessments, treatments, and risk evaluations. Adhere to all Facility and Service Line policies and practices for clinical care, including suicide risk reduction, timeliness of care, access standards, professional conduct, and CPRS documentation conventions. Achieve minimal clinical workload expectations as established by the Service Line. Other clinical responsibilities and operational details: Work Schedule: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday – Friday. Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact View email address on click.appcast.io for questions/assistance. Salary: Competitive with regular increases; higher step rate possible for higher qualifications or special needs. Paid Time Off: 37–50 days per year (13–26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays). Eligibility for credit toward annual leave accrual may be based on prior work or military experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full‑time employees with total family income below $144,000 may receive a subsidy up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, capped monthly at $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution. Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many can be carried into retirement). Telework: Ad‑hoc (Inclement Weather Only). Virtual: Not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station: Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr