Staff Psychologist - Homeless Engagement and Recovery Opportunity (HERO) Program

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval and award amounts (up to $200,000) and eligibility periods (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office after a complete review of the application. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must satisfy all required qualifications supplied in the 30‑day closing period. Basic requirements for employment as a VHA psychologist are codified by Public Law 96‑151 (38 U.S.C. § 7402). Citizenship: United States citizenship is required; non‑citizens may only be appointed when no qualified citizens can be recruited under VA policy. Education: • A doctoral degree in psychology accredited by the APA (PCSAS) or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). • A doctoral degree in any psychology area that can be successfully re‑specialized in an APA or CPA accredited program. • A doctoral degree awarded 1951‑1978 from a regionally‑accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. Internship: Completion of a professional psychology internship accredited by APA or CPA, or a VHA‑approved internship prior to 1979, or board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) with maintained certification. Licensure: Full, current and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in any U.S. state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia. English language proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as per VA Handbook 5005. Grade determination: • Entry level (GS‑11) requires only basic requirements. • GS‑12 requires at least one year of experience equivalent to GS‑11 and specific KSAs. • GS‑13 requires at least two years of experience plus additional KSAs and specialized experience in PTSD and substance use disorder treatment. KSAs required for all grades: • Knowledge and application of a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods. • Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies and incorporate new procedures. • Ability to conduct research activities, including designing and executing clinical research projects, maintaining participant relations, documentation, and data acquisition. • Ability to provide professional advice and consultation to health‑care providers. Specialized experience: Training and experience in evidence‑based treatments for PTSD and substance use disorder, and at least one year of work in specialty mental health. Responsibilities Serve as a staff psychologist for the Homeless Engagement and Recovery Opportunity (HERO) Program at the American Lake Division of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. Primary duties: psychological assessment and diagnosis, psychotherapy and counseling, consultation, and clinical supervision. Provide comprehensive psychological assessment and diagnostic services for veterans, including complex cases requiring advanced psycho‑diagnostic skills. Demonstrate expertise using contemporary interview and psychometric assessment methods for mental disorders and behavioral health conditions. Provide education to patients and family members about mental disorders and best‑practice treatment approaches. Administer evidence‑based psychotherapeutic interventions (individual, family, group psychotherapy and psychoeducation) as indicated for the setting. Offer consultation to health‑care providers on assessment findings and treatment plans to ensure coordinated, integrated care. Assist the multidisciplinary team with case management for veterans with complex psychosocial presentations. Adhere to facility and service‑line policies, including risk assessment, suicide and violence prevention, timeliness of care, professional conduct, and documentation conventions. Provide clinical supervision and instruction for psychology trainees (interns and postdoctoral fellows) in the primary work setting. Supervise or train medical residents, medical students, social work interns, and other non‑psychology trainees as needed. Assist the Program Leader or Director in designing, developing, and implementing clinical assessment or intervention programs. Coordinate liaisons with other health‑care programs to effectively manage services. Track and meet national and local performance measures at the team level. Comply with all administrative practices, including leave authorization, TMS educational requirements, and handling of sensitive information per federal privacy acts. Participate in administrative and informational meetings hosted by the Psychology Chief, Deputy Chief, Service Line Leader, or Facility Director. Compensation and Benefits Salary: Competitive salary commensurate with grade and experience, with regular increases. Paid time off: 37–50 days annually (13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays). Annual leave credit: Selected applicants may receive credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service. Parental leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid leave after 12 months of employment for birth, adoption, or foster placement. Child‑care subsidy: Eligible full‑time employees with family income below $144,000 may receive a subsidy up to 25% of childcare costs (maximum $416.66 per month). Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution. Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care plans; many can be carried into retirement. Work schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Telework: Ad‑hoc only; the position is not virtual. Contact Questions regarding the EDRP: View email address on click.appcast.io. For further information on qualification standards, refer to #J-18808-Ljbffr