Summary

This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21) - one of 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) - VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). This position is aligned with the Psychology Service of Mental Health.

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.

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
• Education (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 completed
• The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed
• For 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 skills
• Currently - APA accredits doctoral programs in the specialty areas of clinical psychology - counseling psychology - school psychology - or combinations of two or more of those areas
• PCSAS accredits doctoral programs in psychological clinical science
• CPA accredits doctoral programs in clinical psychology - counseling psychology - clinical neuropsychology - and school psychology
• There are no job assignments in VHA that require the skills of a school psychologist
• therefore - an applicant with a degree in the specialty area of school psychology is not eligible for appointment
• Strictly 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 program
• and - (b) the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed
• NOTE: 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 internship
• Psychologists 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 standards
• OR (3) Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution - with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.] Internship: (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 employed
• OR (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 intern
• OR (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 requirement
• OR (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.) Licensure: 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 (1) Exception
• Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a "graduate psychologist" at the GS-11 or GS12 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 [(c)(2)(B)] for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a psychologist who is licensed
• 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: Staff Psychologist - GS-11 Grade Requirements: (a) Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Staff Psychologist GS-12 Grade Requirements: (a) Experience
• At least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11)
• Psychologists who are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist but with less intense supervision than at the GS-11 grade level
• (b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1
• Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations
• 2
• Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies
• 3
• Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures
• 4
• Ability to conduct research activities - such as designing and implementing clinical research projects (staff psychologists with specified research job duties)
• 5
• Ability to perform basic research tasks of scholarship and research execution within the context of an established research team - including research participant relations - research documentation - data acquisition - maintenance - and collaboration
• Staff Psychologist GS-13 Grade Requirements: (a) Experience
• At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist - with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level
• (b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1
• Knowledge of - and ability to apply - professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations
• 2
• Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional 7 psychology and behavioral health
• 3
• Knowledge of clinical research literature
• (c) Assignment
• This is the full performance level for staff psychologists
• At this level - psychologists are licensed to practice independently in the provision of psychological services - consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-13 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-13
• Physical Requirements: Reference VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Duties

• Major duties include but are not limited to the following: Provides a full range of psychodiagnostic services including interview-based and self-report screenings for Axis I and other psychological disorders
• Provides crisis intervention and emergent mental health services as needed - including implementing legal holds
• Serves as the coordinator of mental health services for designated patients
• These duties include but are not limited to ensuring that treatment plans and other documents are completed and updated in a timely fashion - consulting with other providers to ensure that services designated on the treatment plan are being provided - coordinating fee basis or mental other services
• Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions - with a special focus on evidence-based interventions for Axis I disorders
• These interventions include individual - couples - and psychoeducational interventions
• Provides prevention-related counseling for problems such as smoking cessation and weight loss - as needed
• Participates effectively as a member of a multi- or interprofessional team
• Consults with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues
• Is responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system - as appropriate
• Provides clinical supervision to: Psychology trainees including practicum students - interns - and postdoctoral fellows
• Provides training and supervision as needed to other disciplines
• Supports the Psychology Service training program as needed by serving on committees - presenting at seminars and other activities
• Provides training to program staff and other health care providers - as needed
• Serves as a consultant to other medical center staff and trainees and assists in their formulation of the psychological characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations regarding their patients
• Oversees the establishment of program monitors and outcome measurements within programs assigned using a data-driven quality assurance processes as need
• Is responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system - as appropriate
• Plans and oversees the completion of personal research programs - designed to provide information regarding program planning and relevant treatment approaches as needed
• Presents outcome data and research results at VA and regional or national scientific or professional meetings as needed
• Assists in preparation of RFP's and grant proposals - as assigned
• Serves on Medical Center or Healthcare System - VISN - and/or National VA committees or task forces as needed
• Represents psychology on decision-making committees at the Medical Center or Healthcare System as needed
• Provides services - as needed - to promote the efficient operation of the health care system
• These services may include such activities as: serving as a counselor for the Employee Assistance Program - performing required psychological evaluations for VA Police officers - serving on health care system committees and boards of investigations
• Represents the Medical Center or Healthcare System at professional/program community group/events and committees - as needed
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8am - 4:30pm Telework: ADHOC Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized