Staff Psychologist
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Smyrna, GA, United States
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. 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.
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
English Language Proficiency Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. - chapter 73 or 74 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English
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
The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed
OR Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and - in addition - successfully completed a 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 you were retrained is consistent with the assignment you are am applying for
OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution - with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature
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
OR 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 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 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 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 program
If 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 program
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
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 GS-12 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: 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)
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
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 (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
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 psychology and behavioral health
3
Knowledge of clinical research literature
Preferred Experience: Outpatient Mental Health 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-12
Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
Duties
VA Careers - Psychologist: https://youtube.com/embed/77qHlLw9Xck Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: Delivers patient care through Clinical Video Telecommunications (CVT) when appropriate
Assigned to any VHA program and setting - such as inpatient or outpatient medicine - primary care - surgery - mental health - neurology - rehabilitation medicine - geriatrics - Compensation and Pension - Vet Centers - and the VHA National Center for Organization Development
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
Schedules outpatient clinic appointment using Veterans Health Information Systems and technology Architecture (Vista) scheduling options
May be required to be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities
Assesses and treat the full spectrum of mental health illness as assigned
Establishes and maintains professional activities of a psychological nature which most readily and appropriately meet the needs of the patients in the clinical area assigned
Ensures a well-balanced - diversified and comprehensive program in order to maximize contributions by Psychology Section staff and trainees as assigned
Consults with other health care providers and treatment teams regarding overall program planning and implementation
Provides the knowledge - flexibility - and clinical maturity to adapt to and develop comprehensive psychological services in the area of the Healthcare System to which they are assigned
Perform other related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm
Subject to change based on the needs of the facility
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): May be Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
Contact April.Hightower1@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
Learn 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 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%
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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.
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
English Language Proficiency Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. - chapter 73 or 74 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English
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
The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed
OR Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and - in addition - successfully completed a 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 you were retrained is consistent with the assignment you are am applying for
OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution - with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature
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
OR 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 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 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 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 program
If 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 program
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
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 GS-12 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: 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)
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
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 (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
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 psychology and behavioral health
3
Knowledge of clinical research literature
Preferred Experience: Outpatient Mental Health 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-12
Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
Duties
VA Careers - Psychologist: https://youtube.com/embed/77qHlLw9Xck Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: Delivers patient care through Clinical Video Telecommunications (CVT) when appropriate
Assigned to any VHA program and setting - such as inpatient or outpatient medicine - primary care - surgery - mental health - neurology - rehabilitation medicine - geriatrics - Compensation and Pension - Vet Centers - and the VHA National Center for Organization Development
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
Schedules outpatient clinic appointment using Veterans Health Information Systems and technology Architecture (Vista) scheduling options
May be required to be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities
Assesses and treat the full spectrum of mental health illness as assigned
Establishes and maintains professional activities of a psychological nature which most readily and appropriately meet the needs of the patients in the clinical area assigned
Ensures a well-balanced - diversified and comprehensive program in order to maximize contributions by Psychology Section staff and trainees as assigned
Consults with other health care providers and treatment teams regarding overall program planning and implementation
Provides the knowledge - flexibility - and clinical maturity to adapt to and develop comprehensive psychological services in the area of the Healthcare System to which they are assigned
Perform other related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm
Subject to change based on the needs of the facility
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): May be Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
Contact April.Hightower1@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
Learn 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 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%
#J-18808-Ljbffr