Staff Psychologist (Suicide Prevention)

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Qualified applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. 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 a complete review of the application. Qualifications United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy. 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 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. (For APA: clinical, counseling, or school psychology or combinations thereof. PCSAS: clinical science. CPA: clinical, counseling, neuropsychology, or school psychology.) School psychology is not a permissible specialty for VHA assignments. 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) meeting both of the following conditions:

• a) The re‑specialization program must be completed in an APA or CPA accredited doctoral program.
• b) 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 dissertation primarily psychological in nature. Internships: Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and consistent with the assignment. New VHA psychology internship programs in the process of APA accreditation are acceptable if sanctioned by VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology at the time the individual was an intern. Full‑time one‑year pre‑doctoral internships prior to PL 96‑151 (pre‑1979) are acceptable. Applicants who completed a non‑accredited internship may be considered eligible if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty consistent with the assignment. (Board‑certified applicants must maintain certification.) Applicants who completed a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 with a primarily psychological dissertation may fulfill the internship requirement by having an equivalent one‑year supervised internship experience at an acceptable site. If not noted on the official transcript, a statement from the doctoral program verifying the internship is required. Licensure: Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia. Non‑licensed applicants who otherwise meet eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a "graduate psychologist" at GS‑11 or GS‑12 for up to two years, under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination. English Language Proficiency: Proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 – Part II – Chapter 3 – Section A – paragraph 3j. May qualify under the Grandfathering Provision described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (applicable only to current VHA employees). Grade Determinations: GS‑11 – No experience beyond basic requirements. GS‑12 – At least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS‑11). Unlicensed psychologists practice under a licensed psychologist but with less intense supervision than at GS‑11. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): Demonstrate knowledge and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations. Design and implement effective treatment strategies and incorporate new clinical procedures. Conduct research activities, including designing and implementing clinical research projects, participant relations, documentation, data acquisition, and collaboration. For GS‑13 – Full Performance Level: At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist with at least one year equivalent to GS‑12. Demonstrate ability to apply professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations, provide professional advice and consultation in related areas, and possess knowledge of clinical research literature. Duties The Suicide Prevention Psychologist facilitates implementation of suicide prevention strategies at the New Mexico Veterans Health Care System and community‑based outpatient clinics to ensure appropriate measures are taken to prevent suicide among Veterans. Practice at the advanced level independently and possess specialized knowledge related to specific diagnoses or populations. Work with community partners to complete psychosocial assessment, develop treatment plans, provide evidence‑based treatment, psychosocial case management, discharge planning coordination, healthcare coordination, suicide risk assessment, and follow‑up for individuals, families, groups, and patient education. Provide direct clinical and consultative services, including psychosocial assessment and treatment planning, brief evidence‑based individual and group therapies, crisis intervention, case management, and telephonic assessment and triage. All assigned clinicians are expected to engage in these activities. Interface with other BHCL programs to facilitate patient care across the Behavioral Health Care Line. Participate as needed in multidisciplinary team consultative services to multiple primary care providers within the medical group and within the Behavioral Health Care Line. Benefits and Schedule Work schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (or 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) – scheduling may be adjusted to meet service needs. Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) authorized – student loan payment reimbursement program, up to $200,000 over one to five years based on application review. Parental leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement. Childcare subsidy: After 60 days of employment, employees with full‑time employment and total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for up to 25% of childcare costs up to a monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% VA insurance contributions. Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care insurance available; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement. Full‑time telework is not authorized for this position. Permanent change of station (PCS) and physical redistribution of assets value (AVO) are not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr Direct Jobs