Psychologist (Inpatient Medicine & Palliative Care)

About the role

The Mental Health Department at the Phoenix VA is seeking a psychologist to join the Medical Psychology and Palliative Care teams. The psychologist will serve as the primary psychologist for the Inpatient Medicine Wards, providing consultation psychology services, as well as serving as the Psychologist on the Hospice and Palliative Care Team. This role is a full member of the Mental Health Medical Staff and includes providing ongoing consultation services to other interdisciplinary team members.

Responsibilities

• Promotes the delivery of evidence-based psychosocial and environmental interventions for reducing behavioral and psychological symptoms
• Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including psychological/neuropsychological assessment using the most appropriate assessment tools and techniques
• Develops person-centered, culturally sensitive treatment to address mental health needs of residents in the nursing home care unit
• Screens, assesses, diagnoses, and treats the full spectrum of mental health conditions found in the medical patient population
• Performs evaluations for depression, anxiety, and dementia as well as other behavioral and mood issues and substance abuse
• Provides support services to family members of Veterans receiving care to promote positive coping in anticipatory grief as well as bereavement
• Consults with treatment team colleagues on a wide variety of resident care issues

Requirements

• Must meet specific individual eligibility requirements for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)
• Must have a doctoral degree in psychology from an APA, PCSAS, or CPA accredited program
• Must have a full - current - and unrestricted license to practice psychology in a state, territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia
• Must have completed a professional psychology internship training program accredited by APA or CPA
• Must have at least 1 year of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level
• Must have knowledge of and ability to apply professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations
• Must have demonstrated the ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health
• Must have previous experience providing psychosocial interventions to patients hospitalized for medical conditions and patients receiving palliative care services
• Must have demonstrated ability to function successfully as a member of an inter-professional team and to independently carry out clinical responsibilities

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements: US Citizenship, Language Proficiency, License to Practice Psychology, Doctoral Degree in Psychology from an APA, PCSAS, or CPA accredited program, Internship Accreditation
• GS-11: No additional experience beyond basic requirements
• GS-12: At least 1 year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11)
• GS-13: At least 2 years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level

Skills

• Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations
• Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies
• Incorporate new clinical procedures
• Conduct research activities, such as designing and implementing clinical research projects (staff psychologists with specified research job duties)
• Perform basic research tasks of scholarship and research execution within the context of an established research team
• Knowledge of clinical research literature
• Previous experience providing psychosocial interventions to patients hospitalized for medical conditions and patients receiving palliative care services
• Demonstrated ability to function successfully as a member of an inter-professional team and to independently carry out clinical responsibilities

Benefits

Includes the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), competitive salary and regular salary increases, and paid time off.

Pay

Competitive salary and regular salary increases, with a higher step rate of the appropriate grade after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA.

Schedule

Schedule will be discussed during interview. Compressed/Flexible available.

Benefits

• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
• Educational Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Authorized
• Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance regarding EDRP