Psychologist

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• The psychosocial interviews & assessments are thorough and include pertinent information in all the required areas of functioning in order to determine appropriate diagnoses and other treatment related conclusions.
• Emergency/crisis interventions are provided to patients in an effort to stabilize.
• Psychotherapy as individual, group and/or family interventions are provided when clinically indicated/appropriate and when of therapeutic benefit to the recipients.
• Provides consultation to other treatment teams and staff members regarding psychosocial needs of Veterans and/or their families and the impact of the identified psychosocial problems on the Veteran's health care planning, compliance with treatment, and discharge planning.
• Performs psychological testing and/or exempt testing (based on hospital privileges or scope of practice) when it is clinically appropriate to a treatment question as part of an assessment.
• Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans in the Mental Health Center and/or their families.
• Possesses a thorough knowledge and have experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures, including acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology.
• Independently completes psychosocial assessments and be able to independently provide a DSM diagnosis to determine the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and/or their families.
• Utilizes standardized instruments in the assessment of mental health problems and/or conditions.
• Serves as a liaison between Veterans and/or their families and VA and community resources in order to ensure thorough delivery of services.
• Facilitates discharge planning through collaboration with Veterans and their families as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members to ensure that appropriate discharge plans are executed in a timely manner.
• Provides consultation and education to Veterans and their families regarding community resources, VA benefits and specialty programs, and advanced directives.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.