Psychologist

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, 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 complete review of the EDRP application. Applicants pending 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 only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Basic 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. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.g, this part.) Education: Have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program accredited by APA, PCSAS, or 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. Special Education Pathways (Alternative) Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and successfully complete a re-specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship) meeting 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. Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. Internship: Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. New VHA psychology internship programs 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. VHA facilities that offered full‑time, one‑year pre‑doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are acceptable. Applicants who completed an internship not accredited by APA or CPA may be considered eligible only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty consistent with the assignment. Once board certified, the employee must maintain board certification. Applicants who earned a doctoral degree between 1951 and 1978 may fulfill this requirement by having an equivalent one‑year supervised internship experience on a site acceptable to the doctoral program. Documentation may be provided by a statement from the doctoral program if not indicated on the transcript. Licensure: Holds 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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 Requirements and Experience GS-11 (Entry Level): Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 (Developmental Level): Experience: At least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Psychologists not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist with less intense supervision. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of 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 or perform basic research tasks in an established research team. GS-13 (Full Performance Level): Experience: At least two years as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to 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. Candidates may qualify based on the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (applicable to current VHA employees who meet criteria). The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-13. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. #J-18808-Ljbffr US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair