Staff Psychologist

Quality Care Our Heroes Deserve

Now is the time to take your career to the next level and become part of the high-caliber talent that is VA. Experience what 250,000 current VA employees already have state-of-the-art practice settings, access to the latest technology, a multi-disciplinary team environment and the opportunity to provide the men and women who have bravely served this country with the finest patient care, benefits and customer satisfaction. And with VA Patient Satisfaction Scores leading the healthcare industry, you'll be joining one of the most respected facilities in the Nation.

Our Mission

To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans.

Duties

This position is located in the Behavioral Health Care Line, with primary assignment to the Behavioral Health Clinic. The Behavioral Health Clinic provides outpatient assessment and triage as well as individual, group and family psychotherapy for acute and chronic mental health problems. The psychologist applies advanced professional psychological diagnostic methods and evidence-based intervention strategies to a full range of patient problems in his/her work setting. S/he has advanced knowledge of psychological diagnosis, intervention, and behavioral health that qualifies him/her to provide advice and consultation to professionals representing a variety of disciplines. In addition to assigned clinical activities, the psychologist will participate with Behavioral Health managers in program development activities, may participate in supervision and instruction of Psychology interns, postdoctoral fellows and practicum students, may engage in clinical research, and may participate in facility, network or national VA committees, with support of managers for these professional activities.

Tour of Duty: Monday - Friday (8:00am to 4:30pm), subject to change based on Agency needs.

Key Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required
• Background and/or Security Investigation required
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination

Qualifications Required

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. The basic requirements for employment as a VHA psychologist are prescribed by Public Law 96-151 codified in Title 38, U.S.C. § 7402. To qualify for appointment, all applicants for the position of psychologist in VHA must meet the following: a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b. Education ( 1) Have a doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. AND (2) Have successfully completed a professional clinical or counseling psychology internship training program that has been accredited by APA. Exceptions: (1) new VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement, provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Central Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern and (2) VHA facilities who offered full one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement. c. Licensure. Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (e.g., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia. Exception. Licensure requirement may be waived for a period not to exceed 2 years from the date of employment on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a psychologist who is so licensed. Non-licensed psychologists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate psychologist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D). Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This may result in termination of employment.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS: GS-11 (a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 (a) Experience. In addition to the basic requirements at the GS-11 level, at least 1 year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level. Individuals assigned as GS-12 psychologists may be in the process of obtaining licensure at the independent practice level. If unlicensed, the individual must be supervised by a licensed psychologist and the experience and supervision must meet the standards for psychology licensure. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, a wide range of professional psychological theories and assessment methods to a variety of patient populations. 2. Ability to develop coherent treatment strategies. 3. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures.

GS-13 (a) Licensure. Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (e.g., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia. (b) Experience. In addition to the experience requirements at the GS-12 level, at least 1 additional year of experience as a psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(c)Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities The following knowledge, skills and abilities are minimally required for practicing psychologists at a GS-11, 12, or 13 level for this position: 1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, advanced professional psychological theories and techniques to the full range of patient populations. 2. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health. 3. Knowledge of clinical research literature. 4.Knowledge of current evidence-based theoretical models and techniques for addressing a general range of clinical psychological problems presented by veterans, and technical fidelity in using appropriate clinical approaches in their care. 5. Ability to self-assess content-specific clinical competence and seek consultation accordingly to ensure appropriate clinical practice. 6.Ability to provide professional advice and consultation to allied health professionals in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health, including basic research methodologies. 7.Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures, in particular, evidence-based therapeutic practices. 8.Ability to gather clinical interview and collateral data to form accurate psychodiagnostic conclusions and provide beneficial treatment recommendations, in accord with prevailing clinical standards, e.g., DSM 9. Ability to select, administer, score and interpret psychodiagnostic tests appropriately in accord with presenting clinical issues and evidence based literature. 10.Ability to communicate clinical findings, formulations and recommendations coherently and effectively in the clinical record. 11.Prior supervisory experience or willingness to engage in training and mentorship in the supervision of clinical trainees. 12.Prior program development experience and/or interest in collaborating with managers and clinicians in clinical program development.

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience.

Physical Requirements: A pre employment physical will be conducted based on the following physical requirements: Moderate carrying 15-44 pounds, walking 3 hours, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 and hearing (aid permitted).

Bring your expertise to VA and be valued as part of a team that is recognized and respected for significant contributions to medicine. You'll enjoy a patient-focused environment, terrific benefits and incentives, and the ability to practice at any VA facility in the country. Equal Opportunity Employer