Staff Psychologist - EDRP and Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Approved

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. Program 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.

Duties

• The Primary Purpose of the Position is to serve as a staff psychologist (neuropsychologist) conducting a variety of complex neuropsychological and psychological assessments in a timely manner, consistent with the demands of a fast-paced and high-volume clinic. The incumbent will also use brief, problem focused treatment interventions, including attending to various patient, family, caregivers and medical provider needs. This is a direct patient care position. The knowledge requirements of this professional position involve mastery of the theories, principles, concepts, and methodologies of psychology that is customarily acquired through education and training that meets the requirements for a doctoral degree plus two years of post-doctoral experience in clinical neuropsychology in a service-based setting. The incumbent will conduct complex neuropsychological and psychological assessments related to a wide range of neurological, medical and psychological disorders. The employee demonstrates knowledge regarding a wide variety of psychological, neuropsychological and medical conditions alongside the role and interaction of cognitive, personality, and other psychological factors. The employee diagnoses cognitive and psychological disorders using a variety of assessment techniques including clinical interview, psychological assessment and neuropsychological assessment. While most job duties are related to assessment, therapy may also be used to address behavioral issues, adjustment to illness, or care provider concerns. The ideal candidate will also possess the capability to independently conduct comprehensive neuropsychological assessments. The employee may interact on various levels with the referring sources through direct and indirect communication. The employee is responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system, as appropriate. Additionally, the employee provides outcome measurements using a data-driven quality assurance process, as needed and requested. The incumbent provides suicide risk assessment and safety planning as needed. This includes providing triage services for patients at elevated risk of harm to self or others. The incumbent is expected to engage in all team related activities, including attendance of Behavioral Health team meetings, monthly Psychology staff meetings, and main overall compliance with Psychology peer review procedures. As with all Staff Psychologist positions in Mental Health, the incumbent may be called upon to serve on ad hoc workgroups or committees within the service to address problems and concerns of the service. The incumbent regularly consults with medical center staff regarding various patient care issues. The psychologist assumes responsibility for independent professional functioning and regularly works with a variety of complex cases within the assigned areas. The Psychologist is accountable for keeping the supervisor informed of administrative matters, professional activities, significant occurrences, and identifying problem areas that should be brought to the attention of the incumbent's direct supervisor and management. Work will be reviewed by the supervisors through individual conferences, through random record audit and the peer review process. As part of their regular responsibilities, the applicant will be required to provide support to the Bonham CLC. The incumbent assists with coverage of other mental health areas if deemed necessary by Service Leadership. VA Careers - Psychologist: https://youtube.com/embed/77qHlLw9Xck Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53783F, 53784F, 53785F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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/. The doctoral degree must be fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) https://accreditation.apa.org/accredited-programs, the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) https://www.pcsas.org/, or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) https://cpa.ca/accreditation/cpaaccreditedprograms/ at the time the program was completed. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Currently, APA accredits doctoral programs in the specialty areas of clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, or combinations of two or more of those areas. PCSAS accredits doctoral programs in psychological clinical science. CPA accredits doctoral programs in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, clinical neuropsychology, and school psychology. There are no job assignments in VHA that require the skills of a school psychologist; therefore, an applicant with a degree in the specialty area of school psychology is not eligible for appointment. Strictly for the purpose of determining eligibility for appointment as a psychologist in VHA, there is no distinction between the specialty areas (with the exception of school psychology).