Staff Psychologist-Inpatient

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 four 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.

Duties

• The Mental Health CARE Unit consists of (2) twenty-bed inpatient psychiatric wings. The MH CARE Unit provides patient-centered treatment planning, nursing, and psychiatric care, as well as strengths-based and recovery-oriented psychosocial interventions for Veterans in acute crisis. The selected Staff Psychologist will provide a full range of therapeutic, recovery-oriented, evidence-based interventions on the MH CARE units and services on the medical units. on medical/surgical units. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:. Some of the duties include, but are not limited to: Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic and treatment planning services including clinical interviewing, psychological assessments/screenings, cognitive screenings, capacity evaluations, and recovery-oriented planning on the inpatient psychiatric units and/or the medical units. Provides ongoing psychotherapeutic services to Veterans remaining on inpatient units, as needed or directed. Performs intake assessments and diagnostic evaluations for a full range of mental disorders and related health issues, using the most appropriate psychological techniques in providing quality care. Consults with mental health and other Medical Center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues to address needs and coordinate care as clinically indicated. Participates in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings. Consults with the interdisciplinary team and provides treatment recommendations. Independently provides psychological services at all levels of complexity and consults with peers and supervisors as appropriate. Promotes involvement of family/social support systems for patients, when appropriate, as a means and vehicle for sustaining recovery. Provides recovery-oriented group services on a regular basis. The recovery group will be available for other staff to attend for training purposes in strengths-based and patient-centered principles. Advocates for patients, ensuring the care patients receive is patient-centered and recovery-oriented. May be assigned or detailed to any program area based on clinical resource need, and may be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities. Represents psychology on decision-making committees at the program and service level. Participates in recovery­-oriented and evidence-based practices, trainings, and inpatient service related meetings/trainings as needed. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 08:00am - 04:30pm (the selectee may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis, based on the needs of the service and patient care) Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 80509F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized - As determined by Facility/Agency EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN8CCOE@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

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. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.