Staff Psychologist - EDRP, Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized

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 The Staff Psychologist will be assigned to Behavioral Health Service. The incumbent will provide face-to-face and/or telemental health (e.g., VA Video Connect, CVT) services to Veterans across WTVAHCS sites of care. Psychological services may include conducting assessments, delivering psychotherapy in individual and group formats, and provision of consultation to Behavioral Health staff regarding Veteran care issues. The incumbent also provides consultation to medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. Staff psychologists may be involved in program evaluation, teaching, training, and research activities. In addition to providing direct patient care, this psychologist does have limited administrative/managerial duties. The Staff Psychologist: Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services, including assessment, and uses the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care. Performs evaluations for a wide array of patients representing diverse diagnostic entities. Provides evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, as indicated and appropriate for the specific setting and duties of the Psychologist, which may include individual, family, and group psychotherapy and psychoeducation. Provides education to patients, family members, and significant others regarding mental disorders and best practices. Fully assesses mental health disorders utilizing clinical interviews, psychological screeners and/or assessment if indicated. Delivers a wide range of VHA-approved Evidence Based Psychotherapies (EBPs), including, but not limited to: (a) Cognitive Processing Therapy, (b)Prolonged Exposure, (c) Interpersonal Therapy for Depression, (d) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression, (e) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Depression, (f) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain, (g) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, (h) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders, (i) Motivational Interviewing, U) Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy, and (k) Problem Solving Training. Duties are continued in the Education Section. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Recruitment Incentives. Recruitment incentives may be authorized to full-time, part time[,] or intermittent individuals in their first appointment as a Federal employee or to a newly appointed former Federal employee with at least a 90-day break in service Relocation Incentives. Relocation incentives may be authorized to full-time Federal employees who must change worksite[s] and physically relocate to a different geographic area when the approving official determines that without the incentive, it would be difficult to fill the position with a high-quality candidate. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@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 #: GS-11: 52647-F, GS-12: 52648-F, GS-13: 52268-F 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 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

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Accreditation Information: The 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). Verification of accreditation may be made obtained from https://accreditation.apa.org/accreditedrogramshttps://www.pcsas.org/accreditation/accredited-programs/ orhttps://cpa.ca/accreditation/cpaaccreditedprograms/ NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the APA Accreditation - Home, CPA Accredited Programs - Canadian Psychological Association, or Accredited Programs - PCSAS website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Duties Continued: Provides in-person and/or telemental health modalities, such as Clinical Video Teleconferencing (CVT) or VHA Video Connect (WC). Complies with all Behavioral Health Service documentation requirements, including standards for timely completion of CPRS patient contact notes, use of required documentation templates, clinical reminders, treatment plans, risk assessment protocols, and proper patient checkout procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes). Follows service and VHA guidelines (e.g., using VHA EBP note templates) for delivering and documenting evidence-based psychotherapy. Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for an assigned caseload of patients. Complies with national and local performance measures, including completion of clinical reminders for all patients. Provides consultation to health care providers about assessment findings and treatment plan for patients to ensure that care is coordinated, collaborative, and integrated within the WTVAHCS. Adheres to all WTVAHCS and Behavioral Health Service policies and practices for delivering clinical care, including but not limited to risk assessment and reduction practices for potentially dangerous behavior (suicide and violence), timeliness of care and access standards, professional conduct requirements, and CPRS documentation conventions. Functions independently as a member of the VA HCS Medical Staff, with full clinical privileges. Assumes complete professional responsibility for their clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation. Adheres to all service policies and procedures established by Behavioral Health Leadership. Complies with all WTVAHCS and VHA policies and expectations concerning administrative practices, including but not limited to leave authorization, documentation, and completing Talent Management Service (TMS) educational requirements. Complies with national and local performance measures (e.g., SAIL) and facilitates organizational success on these measures at the section or program level. Assists in the selection, training, and supervision staff at lower grade within assigned program area, Behavioral Health Service, or WTVAHCS, as needed. Coordinates with Behavioral Health Leadership and the local EBP Coordinator to ensure adequate training in utilizing EBP and discussed opportunities for continued training as needed. Assists Behavioral Health Leadership in executing ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects to monitor the effectiveness of the clinical program. Attends regular Behavioral Health meetings, Medical Staff meetings, and complies with Psychology peer review procedures. Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings held by Behavioral Health and other VA Leadership. Completes annual surveys. Maintains current knowledge of and practices in accordance with The Joint Commission (T JC), Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), or other accrediting or governing body requirements. Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with provisions of Federal privacy acts and confidentiality statutes. Follows regulations and instructions regarding release of sensitive or protected patient or employee information. Other responsibilities as assigned by Behavioral Health Service Leadership.