Psychologist (Assistant Chief)

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within 4 months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period one to five years are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. 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 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 Education: Have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology 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: 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 re‑specialization program) meeting 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 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 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 for which the applicant is to be employed OR: New VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement – provided that such programs were 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 OR: VHA facilities that offered full‑time one‑year pre‑doctoral internships prior to PL 96‑151 (pre‑1979) are considered acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement OR: Applicants who completed an internship that was not accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed may be considered eligible for hire only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed (NOTE: Once board certified, the employee is required to maintain board certification) OR: 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 in a site specifically acceptable to the candidate's 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 of a one‑year supervised internship experience was completed in a site acceptable to the doctoral program 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 Loss of Credential: A psychologist who fails to maintain the required licensure must be removed from the occupation – which may result in termination of employment At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists Board Certification: Persons hired to psychology positions in the VHA who completed an internship that was not accredited at the time the program was completed must be board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed Board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body’s requirement for continuing education Loss of Credential: Once board certified, a psychologist must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted board certification to remain qualified for employment At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria) Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates Psychology Program Manager – GS‑14 (Above Full Performance Level) Experience: At least three years of experience as a professional psychologist – with at least one year equivalent to the GS‑13 grade level Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: You must be able to demonstrate that you possess the competencies necessary to perform the work of the position (Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines; Knowledge of and ability to utilize evidence‑based practices and clinical practice guidelines; Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups; Skill in managing and directing the work of others; Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well‑coordinated and controlled work operations; Ability to establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards; Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in a sound operation of the program) Preferred Experience: Familiarity with Suicide Prevention Program and/or Workplace Violence Prevention Programs – managing high‑risk populations. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑14 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Duties The Psychologist (Assistant Chief) serves as a GS‑14 Psychology Program Manager and Assistant Chief of Psychology within the West Palm Beach VAMC This role carries full administrative and clinical responsibility for both the Suicide Prevention Program and the Workplace Violence Prevention Program While performing broad program management, the incumbent also provides direct patient care in inpatient, outpatient, or residential settings Major Duties – Program Management & Administration – Workplace Violence Prevention: Provides oversight for the Disruptive Behavior Committee (DBC) – Behavioral Patient Record Flags – and the Employee Threat Assessment Team Major Duties – Suicide Prevention: Manages the Suicide Prevention Team – ensuring clinical coverage and compliance with national documentation standards and care coordination for high‑risk Veterans Section Leadership: Assists the Chief of Psychology in designing clinical activities, setting performance standards, and providing supervisory coverage for the section Quality Improvement: Executes data‑driven projects to monitor program effectiveness and tracks data trends for national reporting Committees: Represents the facility on VISN and National VA task forces and chairs the Disruptive Behavior Committee Clinical Responsibilities – Direct Care: Delivers a full range of psychological services – including evaluations, assessments, and psychotherapy High‑Risk Intervention: Provides specialized treatment planning and psychoeducation for Veterans flagged as high risk for suicide Crisis Management: Offers professional consultation and crisis intervention for managing high‑risk behavioral cases Evidence‑Based Practice: Implements clinical practice guidelines and guides staff in using tools for Veterans with behavioral flags Staff & Community Engagement – Training: Coordinates staff education on suicide prevention (e.g., Operation SAVE) and workplace violence prevention Outreach: Participates in community outreach programs targeting the Veteran population Supervision: Responsible for the effective supervision and development of subordinate employees Work Schedule: Monday – Friday – 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Virtual: This is not a virtual position This position is eligible for AD‑HOC Functional Statement #:41980F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive Contact: View email address on click.appcast.io – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance #J-18808-Ljbffr South Mississippi Mental Health Center