Staff Psychologist (BHIP)

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. Qualifications The basic requirements for employment as a VHA psychologist are prescribed by Public Law 96-151 codified in 38 U.S.C. § 7402. To qualify for appointment - all applicants for the position of psychologist in VHA must meet the following: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Education: 1. Have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) - the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) - or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the program was completed. 2. Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and successfully complete a re‑specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the re‑specialization program) in an APA or CPA accredited doctoral program. Applicant must provide an official transcript and/or certificate documenting the completion of the re‑specialization program, which includes completion of an APA or CPA internship. 3. Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally accredited institution - with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. Internships: (a) 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. (b) New VHA psychology internship programs in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable if sanctioned by VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time of the internship. (c) VHA facilities that offered full‑time one‑year pre‑doctoral internships prior to PL 96‑151 (pre‑1979) are considered acceptable. (d) Applicants who completed an internship not accredited by APA or CPA at the time of completion 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. Board certified psychologists must maintain board certification. (e) Applicants with a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 may fulfill the internship requirement by having the equivalent of a one‑year supervised internship experience at a site specifically acceptable to the candidate's doctoral program. Licensure: Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Exception: Non‑licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given 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 from the date of employment. Loss of Credential: A psychologist who fails to maintain the required licensure or board certification must be removed from the occupation. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English per VA Handbook 5005‑Part II‑Chapter 3. Grade Requirements and Creditable Experience: Experience credited through paid or non‑paid employment or through supervised postdoctoral training (fellowship or residency). Only post‑doctoral experience directly related to duties is creditable. Experience must be at a level comparable to or exceeding the next lower grade level. Part‑time experience is creditable relative to a full‑time workweek. Post‑doctoral fellowships or residencies are considered creditable experience on a year‑for‑year basis. Grade Determinations: Staff Psychologist – GS‑11: No additional experience beyond basic requirements. Staff Psychologist – GS‑12: At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS‑11 level; unlicensed psychologists must practice under supervision. Staff Psychologist – GS‑13: At least two years of experience, with at least one year equivalent to the GS‑12 level. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations. At the GS‑13 level: Ability to apply professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations and to practice independently. Preferred Experience: Evidence‑based psychotherapies (CBT, ACT, UP, DBT, PE, CPT, STAIR). For more information on this qualification standard, visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected ranges from GS‑11 to GS‑13. Duties General description: This Staff Psychologist position is in the Outpatient General Mental Health Clinic in Greenville, NC. Provides general mental health care for Veterans within the Durham VAHCS as part of the GMH‑East section of the Outpatient Mental Health Division in MBHS. Member of a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team – evidence‑based assessment and outpatient psychotherapy services in individual, couples, and group therapy formats following VA Clinical Practice Guidelines. Broad experience required in long‑standing emotional, psychological, relational difficulties, serious and persistent mental illness, and/or substance misuse. Possible gender/sexuality assessment and care. May supervise Psychology practicum students, interns, and/or post‑doctoral fellows completing training rotations in GMH‑E. Directly reports to a designated supervisory psychologist within the Outpatient Division for MBHS and ultimately to the Chief of Psychology (Durham VAHCS). Primary (Clinical) Responsibilities: Provide a full range of specialized services at all levels of complexity and manage crisis intervention in a community‑based outpatient setting. Service delivery includes intake evaluations, differential diagnostic assessments, and individual, group, and couples’ psychotherapy. Deliver evidence‑based psychotherapies (CBT, ACT, UP, DBT, PE, CPT, STAIR) in individual and group formats for Veterans with mental health needs. Provide psychological diagnostic assessments using personality testing (PAI, MMPI), structured interviews (CAPS, SCIDs), and measurement‑based care (PCL‑5, PHQ‑9, GAD‑7). Serve as a member of a BHIP team – providing psychological consultation to an interdisciplinary team and to other professional staff across Durham VAHCS. May provide clinical supervision to Psychology interns or unlicensed Psychology staff as requested. Other Significant Responsibilities: May serve on Medical Center, VISN, and/or National VA committees or task forces with approval. May represent Psychology/Mental Health programs in various workgroups and committees at the Medical Center. May actively participate in leadership roles on local, state, and national professional organizations. May represent the Medical Center or Psychology/Mental Health at professional organization/community group events or committees. Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm (7:30 am to 4 pm telework: ad‑hoc virtual – this is not a virtual position). EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact View email address on click.appcast.io – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more: (no additional link provided) #J-18808-Ljbffr