Clinical Psychologist

Clinical 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. 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

Basic Requirements:

Citizenship
Be a citizen of the United States
Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
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
The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed
OR, have a Doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully completed a re-specialization program meeting both of the following conditions: a) the re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and b) the specialty in which you were retrained is consistent with the assignment you are am applying for; 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 to be 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)
NOTE: 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
At the GS-13 level, candidates must 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
English Language Proficiency
Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Regulations
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)
Must pass a background check
Grade Determinations:GS-13 Psychologist Assignment
This is the full performance level for staff psychologists
At this level, psychologists are licensed to practice independently in the provision of psychological services, consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate
They may be assigned to any VHA program and setting, such as inpatient or outpatient medicine, primary care, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, geriatrics, Compensation and Pension, Vet Centers, and the VHA National Center for Organization Development
Psychologists diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological or neuropsychological assessments, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities, and provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders
Among the modalities provided are individual, family, and group psychotherapies and other interventions such as behavioral health and community interventions
Psychologists consult with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues
Staff psychologists may be involved in program evaluation, teaching, training, and research activities
Experience
At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below
1
Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations
2
Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health
3
Knowledge of clinical research literature
References: VA Handbook 5005/103, Part II, Appendix G18, PSYCHOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-13
Physical Requirements: The work requires extreme patience and controlling of emotions
The work may require using appropriate techniques to physically restrain patients who present a danger to self or others
The work may also require assisting physically disabled Veterans
Day-to-day work involves sitting, walking, standing and carrying light objects
The work is typically performed in a clinical setting that exposes the incumbent to the communicable diseases common to Veterans
Some of the work is performed in a setting away from the office, where the environment cannot be controlled
The incumbent must be able to safely operate a government owned vehicle for the purpose of community work and to transport patients.

Duties

'***This is an open continuous announcement.
Certificates of eligibles will be issued as vacancies exist.
Each location listed may or may not have a current vacant position.
The Community Living Center (CLC) Psychologist serves on a multidisciplinary team within the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin, Georgia.
The Community Living Center Psychologist is the provider of mental health services and consultation to veterans within the Dublin CLC and other veterans within the Geriatrics and Extended Care (G&EC) Service Line as directed.
Clinical Responsibilities (90% of time) Within the scope of privileges granted, incumbent provides a full range of behavioral health diagnostic services utilizing appropriate assessment instruments and structured interviews, generates psychological reports based on assessments, serves as an authoritative source of information in the use and interpretation of tests to make differential diagnoses of patient problems, and provides expert consultation to other disciplines or units with regards to assessment and evaluation procedures.
Within the scope of privileges granted, provides a full range of patient care psychotherapy interventions, including individual and group therapy, as well as specialized interventions such as behavior management consultations and systems or environmental interventions.
When appropriate uses newly proven or experimental techniques.
Presents informed reports or educates multi-disciplinary teams on the use of newly proven or evidence based intervention techniques.
Based on data gathered during the assessment, conceptualizes, develops and implements detailed plans of care for a full range of psychological services.
Independently exercises authoritative judgment in the adjustment of care plans.
Monitors patient's progress, determines when reassessment is appropriate and adjusts care plans accordingly.
As part of the Community Living Center, provides comprehensive behavioral and mental health services to veterans with complex and chronic disabling disorders, including veterans in advanced stages of chronic disease or nearing end of life.
Provision of services includes the following: Screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of depression and anxiety-related disorders, as well as other behavioral problems, with an emphasis on the application of time-limited, evidence-based interventions.
Assessment and intervention for subclinical symptoms, such as dysphoria, anxiety, adjustment difficulties, including end of life issues.
Evaluation of cognitive deficits to address specific functional questions or determine if referral is needed for neuropsychological assessment.
Assessment for competency of a patient's ability to make medical decisions, understand advanced directives, perform specific functions, or live independently.
Attending daily team care plan meetings when on duty.
Assisting staff in determining how to present treatment options and educational material to patients in a format they can understand.
Counseling with couples or families, when appropriate, to relieve relationship difficulties, provide support, or promote collaboration with the clinical team.
Behavioral health interventions to address pain management, disability adjustment, sleep problems, weight loss, smoking cessation, or medical compliance.
Academic/Teaching/Training (5% of time) Supervises pre-doctoral and post-doctoral Psychology trainees as indicated; May serve as an educator or consult to other disciplines involved in the Geriatrics and Extended Care Service Line or elsewhere as needed.
Other Significant Responsibilities (5% of time) Assist supervisor in the execution of ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects to monitor the effectiveness of the clinical program.
Facilitates liaisons with other health care programs in order to effectively coordinate services.
Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients.
Complies with all CPRS documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes).
Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings held by the Service Line Director (or designee) and facility Director.
May serve on Medical Center committees or task forces specifically relating to diagnosis, assessment, and/or treatment issues associated with the Integrated Primary Care and Mental Health programs.
Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required'