Staff Psychologist (BHIP)

Summary 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. Incentive Authorized Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducation (1) Have a 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) at the time the program was completedThe specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employedFor the purpose of meeting this requirement - the term ""specialty area"" refers to the specific specialty areas recognized by the accrediting body and not to specific job duties that might require special skillsCurrently - APA accredits doctoral programs in the specialty areas of clinical psychology - counseling psychology - school psychology - or combinations of two or more of those areasPCSAS accredits doctoral programs in psychological clinical scienceCPA accredits doctoral programs in clinical psychology - counseling psychology - clinical neuropsychology - and school psychologyThere are no job assignments in VHA that require the skills of a school psychologisttherefore - an applicant with a degree in the specialty area of school psychology is not eligible for appointmentStrictly 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)OR (2) Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and - in addition - successfully complete a re- specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the re- specialization program) meeting both of the following conditions: (a) The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral programand - (b) the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employedNOTE: The applicant must provide an official transcript and/or certificate documenting the completion of the re-specialization program - which includes completion of an APA or CPA internshipPsychologists who have successfully completed a re-specialization program as described above and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the educational requirements of these qualification standardsOR (3) Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution - with a dissertation primarily psychological in natureInternships (a) Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employedOR (b) New VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement - provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an internOR (c) VHA facilities that offered full-time - one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96- 151 (pre- 1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirementOR (d) Applicants who completed an internship that was not accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed may be considered eligible for hire only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed(NOTE: Once board certified - the employee is required to maintain board certification.) OR (e) Applicants who have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally- accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature may fulfill this internship requirement by having the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience in a site specifically acceptable to the candidate's doctoral programIf the internship experience is not noted on the applicant's official transcript - the applicant must provide a statement from the doctoral program verifying that the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience was completed in a site acceptable to the doctoral programNOTE: Psychologists who meet the requirements of this revision and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the requirements of this qualification standardBoard Certification (1) Board CertificationPersons hired to psychology positions in the VHA who completed an internship that was not accredited at the time the program was completed must be board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employedThe board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirement for continuing educationLicensureHold a full - current - and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth of the United States - or the District of Columbia English Language ProficiencyPsychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3jMay qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)Grade Determinations: Staff Psychologist - GS-13 ExperienceAt least two years of experience as a professional psychologist - with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade levelDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of - and ability to apply - professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populationsAbility to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral healthKnowledge of clinical research literatureReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-13 Physical Requirements: Light lifting - under 15 poundsUse of fingersNear vision correctable at 13"" to 16"" to Jaeger 1 to 4Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the otherHearing (aid may be permitted)Emotional/stabilityEnvironmental Factors: Outside and insideDry atmospheric conditionsWorking closely with othersand working alone Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Psychologist in the Social and Behavioral Health Service (S&BHS) at the Alaska VA Healthcare System (Alaska VAHCS) conducts psychological and/or neuropsychological assessment - diagnoses and treats mental disordersThe BHIP (Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program) psychologist position is housed within the Mental Health Service at the Alaska VA Healthcare System (Alaska VAHCS) and the primary duties are associated with outpatient S&BH ServiceBHIP Clinical Responsibilities: Provides psychological assessment - triage - intervention - education - and consultative services consistent with training and expertise related to mental health and behavioral medicine concerns of varying complexity in an outpatient settingDelivers a full range of psychological interventions with a strong emphasis on time-limited - evidenced-based treatmentsProvides individual - group - and family psychotherapy and counseling/education to Veterans and family members - as clinically indicatedConducts assessments appropriate to the individual patient - including evaluating high risk factors - acuity - and need for services - with attention to the implications of test results for a Veteran's real-world function and successful treatment/management of health problems with an emphasis on behavioral health factors associated with improved quality of lifeDevelops comprehensive treatment plans in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members documenting patient-generated concerns and goals - measurable objectives - and interventions for clinical treatmentEmploys patient-reported outcome measures to inform treatment plan (measurement-based care) and adjusts interventions based on changing needs - response to interventions - and to improve outcomesComplies with all national and local CPRS documentation procedures and timeliness standards for documentation including completion of patient encounters - clinical reminders - treatment plans - and discharge summariesProvides expert consultation to other BHIP interdisciplinary members and healthcare providers within the Alaska VAHCS and Vet Centers - and coordinates care with community providers following HIPPA and VHA Directives related to release of information practices to support psychosocial recovery of the person servedFunctions independently as a member of the Social and Behavioral Health Service at the Alaska VAHCS with full clinical privilegesAssumes complete professional responsibility for his/her clinical assessment findings - patient care decisions - and documentationTeaching and Training: Provides consultation and training to S&BHS - medical center - and community in the identification and management of common behavioral health conditionsAssists in the ongoing improvement of the Psychology Training ProgramMay supervise pre-doctoral Psychology trainees (or Graduate Psychologists) and may participate in the training of other disciplines (e.g. - social work interns - psychiatry residents - medical students - and nursing students) as appropriate and within scope of practiceParticipates in education/CME lectures - research - specialty care programs/clinics - and collaborates in community outreach/educational activities as assigned by the Chief of PsychologyWork Schedule: 8am - 4:30pm Monday through Friday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact VHAEDRPProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn 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 experienceParental 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 childChild 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 $416.66Retirement: 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 positionPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized