Staff Psychologist

Summary This Full Time Psychologist position is located in the Mental Health Service Line with the Primary Care Mental Health Integration Team at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System. The psychologist will provide diagnostic interviews and psychotherapy for adult patients with a range of general mental health issues who are being followed on Primary Care Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT). Qualifications Health Profession Trainees 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. Basic Requirements United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may be appointed only when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: 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 the time the program was completed. The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. 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 completed as part of the program) that meets both of the following conditions: the re‑specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program and the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment. NOTE: The 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. OR have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally‑accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. AND Internship: Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and that is consistent with the assignment. OR new VHA psychology internship programs in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable if sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time of internship. OR VHA facilities that offered full‑time one‑year pre‑doctoral internships prior to PL 96‑151 (pre‑1979) are considered acceptable. OR applicants who completed an internship not accredited by APA or CPA may be considered eligible if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area consistent with the assignment. (NOTE: once board certified, the employee is required to maintain board certification.) Applicants who have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally‑accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature may fulfill this internship requirement by having the equivalent of a one‑year supervised internship experience at a site acceptable to the doctoral program. If the internship experience is not noted on the applicant's official transcript, the applicant must provide a statement from the doctoral program verifying that the equivalent one‑year supervised internship experience was completed in an acceptable site. Licensure: Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, or 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 the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (c)(2)(B) for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment, provided such psychologists provide care only under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. Failure to obtain licensure within that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. 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. Grade Determinations: GS‑11 Staff Psychologist (Entry Level): Experience required none beyond the basic requirements. GS‑12 Staff Psychologist (Developmental Level): At least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the GS‑11 level; unlicensed psychologists must practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist with less intense supervision than at the GS‑11 level; candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations. Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures. Ability to conduct research activities, such as designing and implementing clinical research projects (staff psychologists with specified research duties). Ability to perform basic research tasks within an established research team, including research participant relations, documentation, data acquisition and maintenance, and collaboration. GS‑13 Staff Psychologist (Full Performance Level): At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS‑12 level; candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of and ability to apply professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health. Knowledge of clinical research literature. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, visit Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre‑employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre‑employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Duties Provide a full range of psycho‑diagnostic services integrated within a primary care setting, including assessment and using the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques to provide quality care. Perform evaluations for patients with mood disorders, anxiety, substance use, personality disorders, and a range of general mental health issues. Deliver a full range of therapeutic interventions, including individual, couple/family, group psychotherapy, and psycho‑educational groups, using evidence‑based interventions. Consult with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. Provide leadership guidance and consultation to staff of units to which assigned, and serve as a consultant to other medical center staff and trainees in formulation of the psychological characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations regarding patients. May hold faculty appointment at an affiliated university (e.g., University of Minnesota). May be involved in Psychology Training Program and Training Committee, as well as training of psychology practicum students, interns, and postdoctoral residents. Oversee the establishment of program evaluation and outcome measurements using data‑driven quality assurance processes. Be responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the healthcare system. If applicable, plan and oversee the completion of personal research programs designed to provide information regarding program planning and relevant treatment approaches, and may present outcome data and research results at VA and regional or national scientific or professional meetings. Other duties as assigned, including serving on committees, task forces and special projects. Benefits and Compensation Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Eligible for student loan payment reimbursement; determine award amount and period in accordance with VHA policy. Work schedule: 08:00 to 16:30 Monday through Friday. Recruitment incentive: Not authorized; EDRP authorized. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact EDRP Coordinator at View email address on click.appcast.io for questions or assistance. Competitive salary with regular increases; higher step rate may be granted for higher or unique qualifications. Paid time off: 37–50 days of annual paid time per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays. Parental leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement. 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 eligible costs, up to a monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% VA contributions. Federal insurance: health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care (many programs can be carried into retirement). Telework: Ad‑hoc only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. #J-18808-Ljbffr