Staff Psychologist-PTSD Clinical Team

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.

Qualifications

• Must 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 completed.
• The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.
• Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and - in addition - successfully completed a re-specialization program meeting both of the following conditions:
  • The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or CPA accredited doctoral program.
  • The specialty in which you were retrained is consistent with the assignment you are applying for.
  • Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution - with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.
  • May 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).

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency Requirement: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j.
• Education Requirement: You must 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 completed.
• Internship Requirement: You must 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 employed.
• Licensure: Candidates must hold 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.
• Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment.
• May 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

• In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:
  • Staff Psychologist-GS-11 (Entry Level): None beyond the basic requirement.
  • Staff Psychologist - GS-12 (Developmental Level): Experience - at least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11).
  • Staff Psychologist - GS-13 (Full Performance - Level): Experience - at least two years of experience as a professional psychologist - with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.

Duties

• The ultimate psychological rehabilitation of patients depends upon the functions of this position.
• Ensures that all Healthcare System patients referred to psychological evaluation and/or treatment are provided appropriate services in a comprehensive - unified manner - and on a timely basis.
• The Staff Psychologist reports directly to the ACOS - Behavioral Health Service Line or his/her designee.
• The Staff Psychologist for the PTSD Clinical Team includes but are not limited to the following:
  • Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including assessment and using the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care.
  • Delivers patient care through WC and CVT when appropriate.
  • Performs evaluations for all Veterans from all backgrounds and ages.
  • Provides a full range of psychological services including evidence based psychotherapy and cognitive - intellectual - achievement and personality assessments.
  • Consults with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues.
  • Able to assess and treat the full spectrum of mental health illnesses as assigned.
  • Willing to pursue and maintain VA sponsored training and credentialing as needed.
  • Possesses the skill and ability to adapt old and develop new techniques and new technologies - i.e. - virtual care - in order to satisfy the therapeutic needs of the patients to which he/she is assigned - utilizing intensive individual and group psychotherapy procedures with selected patients presenting difficult clinical problems.
  • The assigned incumbent may engage in the teaching of these techniques to psychology trainees and interns through supervision of their therapeutic efforts.
  • Skilled at teaching psychological theory and practice to personnel of other services within the incumbent's areas of responsibility (e.g. - physicians - nurses - nursing assistants - social workers - etc.).
  • Provides consultative services and functions in a resource capacity to other professional services involved on the ward in the development of their training program.
  • Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the service).
  • Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized.
  • Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.
  • EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

• 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.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.