Staff Psychologist (Inpatient Mental Health)

Summary

The Inpatient Mental Health Psychologist will promote the delivery of evidence-based, recovery-oriented psychosocial intervention for behavioral and other psychological problems on the Inpatient Mental Health Units at the VHA in Long Beach, CA. The clinician will function as a full member of the inpatient interdisciplinary mental health team. Welcome to VA Long Beach Tibor Rubin - History

Duties

• VA Careers - Mental Health Professionals: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOMintJXa3Y 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. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Duties include, but are not limited to: Performs psychological evaluations for individuals with mental health and medical disorders for purposes of diagnostic clarification and treatment planning. These evaluations employ a comprehensive diagnostic interview, review of available records, collateral contact when available, as well as objective and cognitive tests when indicated. Provides a full range of evidence-based therapeutic interventions on the Inpatient Mental Health Units, including individual and group psychotherapy, and family care or care provider education. Selects and provides the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care, including evidenced based, recovery-oriented care for psychosis, mood disorders, anxiety disorders and substance use disorders. Serves as a full member of the interdisciplinary treatment team for Veterans on the inpatient units, collaborating closely with psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, and providers of other disciplines (e.g., pharmacists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists). Leads psychosocial and psychotherapeutic treatment planning for Veterans on the inpatient unit. Guides, informs, and coordinates psychosocial and psychotherapeutic programming made available to each Veteran on the unit. Completes safety planning and comprehensive suicide risk evaluations. Ensures that all clinical work is documented accurately and in a timely fashion, consistent with the facility expectations and policies. Participates in program development, performance improvement, peer review, and unit-level quality and safety initiatives, and serves on assigned committees and workgroups. Provides consultation to VA Long Beach Healthcare System staff regarding the care of patients on the mental health inpatient units. Responsible for identification of patient problems requiring consultation with other interdisciplinary medical center staff and making appropriate referrals. Participating in the Psychology Training Program, including leading an education series when requested and providing clinical supervision to predoctoral and/or postdoctoral trainees. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00a-4:30p Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized at Supervisory discretion. Telework: Not Authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement Title/#: Staff Psychologist/000000 EDRP Authorized: Yes

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

IMPORTANT: A transcript with the conferred date must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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/.