Psychologist

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your 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. 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 only when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.g).
• Education

• a) 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.
• b) Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a re‑specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship) that meets both of the following conditions: (i) The re‑specialization program must be completed in an APA or CPA accredited doctoral program; (ii) the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. NOTE: The applicant must provide an official transcript and/or certificate documenting the completion of the re‑specialization program.
• c) Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.

• Internships – Applicants must 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. Alternative acceptance includes: new VHA psychology internship programs applying for APA accreditation that were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology; full‑time, one‑year pre‑doctoral internships prior to PL 96‑151; or, if not accredited, board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area consistent with the assignment.
• 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.
• Board Certification – Persons hired with an unaccredited internship must be board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology; the certification must be current and the applicant must meet continuing education requirements.
• 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.
• Experience – For GS‑11 (Entry Level): none beyond the basic requirements. For GS‑12 (Developmental Level): at least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to GS‑11. For GS‑13 (Full Performance – Level): at least two years of experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS‑12.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills & Abilities – Candidates must demonstrate: knowledge of a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods; ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies; ability to incorporate new clinical procedures; ability to conduct research activities; and, for GS‑13, the ability to provide professional advice and consultation in behavioral health and knowledge of clinical research literature.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – visit Duties VA Careers – Psychologist: providing diagnosis of mental disorders, conducting psychological and/or neuropsychological assessments, treating mental health disorders through a variety of modalities, and providing adjunctive interventions for medical disorders. Individual, family, and group psychotherapy modalities are provided. Other interventions such as biofeedback, psychological hypnosis, and environmental interventions require special privileging. Telemedicine approaches may be used to provide clinical care. Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program psychologists consult with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. May be involved in training, program evaluation, and/or research activities. Provides comprehensive psychological assessment and diagnostic services for veterans. Demonstrates expertise in contemporary interview and psychometric assessment methods for mental disorders and/or behavioral health conditions. Provides education to patients and family members regarding mental disorders and best practice approaches to treatment. Provides evidence‑based psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy and psychoeducation. Provides consultation to health care providers throughout the medical center about assessment findings and treatment plans to ensure coordinated and integrated care within VAPORHCS. Develops, implements, and documents mental health treatment plans for an assigned caseload of patients. Adheres to all facility and service line policies and practices for delivering clinical care, including risk assessment, risk reduction practices for potentially dangerous behaviors, timeliness of care, access standards, professional conduct requirements, and CPRS documentation conventions. Achieves minimal clinical workload expectations as established by the service line. Provides supervision of trainees conducting direct clinical care. Benefits Pay: Competitive salary with regular 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 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 childcare costs, up to a monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care insurance programs available; many can be carried into retirement. Telework: Not authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs