Staff Psychologist (Education Debt Repayment & Sign-on Bonus)

Summary

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

• Duties of this position include but are not limited to: Provides comprehensive outpatient psychological services, including diagnostic evaluations, psychological assessments, and evidence-based individual, group, couples, and family psychotherapy. Performs specialized psychological evaluations; selects and administers appropriate assessment tools; interprets results; and documents findings in the medical record in a timely manner. Determines the need for psychological evaluation, specialized procedures, diagnostic clarification, and psychotherapeutic interventions for a wide range of clinical presentations. Provides consultation to interdisciplinary team members on psychological conditions, diagnostic considerations, and treatment recommendations for complex or difficult cases. Delivers a full range of evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions consistent with approved clinical privileges, including individual, group, couples, and family therapies. Applies behavioral health principles to assist Veterans with co-occurring medical and mental health concerns such as health behavior change, pain management, smoking cessation, treatment adherence, and chronic disease management. Conducts brief or basic neuropsychological assessments for outpatient Veterans, incorporating findings into individualized treatment planning. Participates in program development, quality improvement, and collaborative treatment planning within the Mental Health Clinic. May engage in research activities, including developing hypotheses, proposing research designs, or participating in VA-approved research protocols, in accordance with IRB and VA policy requirements. Provides education and training to psychology trainees, interdisciplinary staff, and Veterans/families, including seminars, case conferences, or supervision of psychology trainees when mutually agreed upon. Functions as an integral member of a multidisciplinary team, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, collaborative problem-solving, and effective communication with staff from varied professional backgrounds. Completes all required clinical documentation, including assessments, progress notes, and consults, in accordance with VAMC timeliness and quality standards. Performs additional duties as assigned by Mental Health Clinic leadership, within scope of licensure and approved clinical privileges. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Recruitment Incentives: Approved! Additional approvals are required EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact , the EDRP Coordinator vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov 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 dentification 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

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/.