Staff Psychologist - Primary Care Mental Health Integration - PCMHI

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

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This position is a staff psychologist appointment located within the Mental Health Service of the VA Western Colorado Health Care System (VA WCHCS). The incumbent is assigned to the Mental Health Service line in General Mental Health. The incumbent provides behavioral health services in individual, couples, and group modalities in accordance with the Uniform Mental Health Services Policy and Handbook (VA 1160.01), VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines for The Management of Substance Use Disorders, and VHA Handbook 1160.04 VHA Programs for Veterans with Substance Use Disorders. The incumbent is expected to have specialized training and competencies in Evidence Based Psychotherapies and the treatment of Substance Use Disorders. The Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) psychologist provides functional assessment, triage, briefintervention, education, and consultative services upon referral from primary care providers and allied Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) members. The psychologist uses population-based practice management strategies and maintains competences in the following core domains: Conducts brief, focused functional assessments (e.g., 30 minutes or less) to assess substance use concerns and triage/refer to specialty care as appropriate. Applies principals of population-based care (defines role and identifies problems rapidly). Uses brief measurement-based care assessments routinely (e.g., BAM-IOP, PHQ-9, PCL-5, AUDIT C etc.). Bases initial consultation appointments on the PCMHI Functional Assessment model and develops recovery-oriented treatment goals based on functional outcomes. Maintains daily same day access slots. Regularly reviews schedule/grid and works to maintain next available "scheduled" appointment within two weeks. Provides brief, time-limited, evidence based mental and behavioral health interventions (e.g., 1-6 sessions) in both individual and group therapy formats. Incumbent will be based at the Montrose CBOC and will provide virtual appointments in the other CBOC's. Academic/Teaching/Training: When opportunities are available and it is deemed clinically appropriate, provides clinical supervision to predoctoral practicum students in clinical/counseling psychology, pre-doctoral psychology interns, and postdoctoral psychology fellows. When opportunities are available and it is deemed clinically appropriate, supports activities of Psychology Training Program and participates in relevant educational seminars. When opportunities are available and it is deemed clinically appropriate, participates in improvement of clinical supervision skills. When opportunities are available and it is deemed clinically appropriate, provides training and guidance to other behavioral health staff in primary care setting. Engages in thoughtful level-of-care decision-making and triages appropriately and efficiently to specialty mental health services. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8am - 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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) Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60908-0; 60909-0,60910-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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

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/.