Staff Psychologist

Summary 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 the 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 a complete review of the EDRP application. Qualifications Applicants 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 only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: Either (1) 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, or (2) 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: The re‑specialization program must be completed in an APA or a 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. 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 (3) a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally‑accredited institution – with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature; or (4) Internships that meet the following: Incomplete: The professional psychology internship training program must have been accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and consistent with the assignment. New VHA psychology internship programs that are 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 that the individual was an intern. Pre‑1979 one‑year pre‑doctoral internships at VHA facilities are considered 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 area consistent with the assignment; if board certified the employee is required to maintain board certification. 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 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 completion. 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, on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. Failure to obtain licensure during 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Staff Psychologist – GS‑11 (Entry Level): Experience – none beyond the basic requirements; Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities – all the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed below. Staff Psychologist – GS‑12 (Developmental Level): Experience – at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS‑11); Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities – all the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed below. Staff Psychologist – GS‑13 (Full Performance Level): Experience – at least two years of professional psychologist experience, with at least one year equivalent to the GS‑12 grade level; Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities – all the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed below. Duties Provides a full range of psychotherapy services including psychological assessments for treatment purposes. Uses evidence‑based techniques to provide quality care to Veterans served by the Hilo CBOC, including patients with Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Trauma Disorder, and other psychiatric diagnoses as defined by the DSM‑5‑TR. Demonstrates expertise in using contemporary interview and psychometric assessment methods for behavioral health conditions and/or mental disorders. Provides evidence‑based psychotherapeutic interventions as indicated and appropriate for the specific job setting and duties – which may include individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy and psychoeducation. Provides consultation to health care providers regarding assessment findings and treatment plans to ensure coordinated, collaborative, and integrated care within the patient’s care team. Provides clinical care coordination as appropriate for the job setting. Complies with all Service Line documentation requirements – including standards for timely completion of CPRS/EMR patient contact notes, use of required documentation templates, clinical reminders, treatment plans, and risk assessment protocols. Adheres to all Facility and Service Line policies and practices for delivering clinical care – including risk assessment and reduction practices for potentially dangerous behavior (suicide and violence), timeliness of care and access standards, professional conduct requirements, and CPRS/EMR documentation conventions. Achieves minimal clinical workload expectations as established by the Service Line. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary CBOC team on recommended interventions and treatment strategies. Provides behavioral health services via telehealth modality when indicated. Provides a full range of psycho‑diagnostic services appropriate in a CBOC clinical setting – including structured interviews, behavioral assessments, and standardized psychological evaluation instruments to assess cognitive, emotional, or personality factors for treatment purposes. Provides the highest quality of care through selecting and applying the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques – with an emphasis on evidence‑based treatments consistent with practice guidelines. Interventions may include individual, couples or group modalities – or may involve psycho‑educational and/or supportive services for family members and significant others. Provides evaluations specifically to assess combat‑related psychological conditions, the effects of military sexual trauma, and/or to determine the need for evaluation and referral for substance use disorders. May provide adjunctive interventions for the treatment of medical disorders – such as those that address stress management, compliance with medical treatments, and similar conditions, following an integrated care model. As a member of the clinical team in the CBOC – demonstrates leadership qualities that add to a positive work environment. Benefits Work schedule: Full time, Monday‑Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants may not apply for incentive. Salary: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37‑50 days of annual paid time off per year (13‑26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. 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 total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % in contributions by VA Insurance. Health, Vision, Dental, Term Life, Long‑Term Care: Federal insurance programs available and may be carried into retirement. Telework: Not Available; Virtual: This is not a virtual position. #J-18808-Ljbffr