Staff Psychologist - BHIP
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 eligibility requirements per 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 review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.
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
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; (b) The specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed
OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution – with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature
AND 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. 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 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: 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 temporary appointment as a graduate psychologist at the GS‑11 or GS‑12 grade under the authority of 38 USC 7405 for a period not to exceed two years of employment on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a licensed psychologist
Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment
English Language Proficiency: Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 – Part II – Chapter 3 – section A – paragraph 3j
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 in this occupation who meet the criteria)
All persons employed in VHA as a psychologist on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held – including positive education (i.e., degree and internship requirements) and licensure/certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
Employees grandfathered under this provision for this revision may be reassigned – promoted up to and including the full performance journey level – or changed to lower grade within the occupation – but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions or beyond the assignment currently held for those being grandfathered to assignments above FPL
Psychologists who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
Psychologists initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
NOTE: If psychologists who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re‑entry to the occupation
Grade Determinations: Staff Psychologist – GS‑11 (Entry level) – Experience: None beyond the basic requirements
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
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
Preferred Experience: Preference will be given to candidates with experience in psychological testing and supervision of students
Reference: VA Handbook 5005/103 – Part II – Appendix G18
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: Work is mostly sedentary – requires light lifting – under 15 lbs; light carrying under 15 lbs; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, hands, and legs; walking and standing
Duties
The selected Staff Psychologist will be expected to provide assigned psychological services within the MH&BSS for mental health patients at community‑based outpatient clinic (CBOC) sites including Clermont, Deltona, Kissimmee, and Tavares
The Specialty Mental Health Clinic (MHC) BHIP Teams is a multidisciplinary outpatient program within the MH&BSS that provides state‑of‑the‑art mental health services for veterans based on the psychiatric rehabilitation recovery model
The services include: a wide range of diagnostic and rehabilitative services for veterans with mental illnesses; collaboration and advocacy for veterans and their family members; education and training of staff in conjunction with other VA professionals to promote the transition from maintenance models of treatment to the contemporary recovery model; championing evidence‑based therapies and a measurement‑based approach to care
Some of the duties include – but are not limited to:
Provides a full range of psychodiagnostic services including assessment and use of the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques to provide quality care
Performs diagnostic evaluations for veterans with a full range of mental disorders
Conducts psychological testing and assessments utilizing objective measures – clinical interviews – records reviews – and consultation with other treating providers as needed – and prepares testing reports
Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions – including evidence‑based treatments for PTSD and other mental disorders
Responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Healthcare System – as appropriate
Consults with Healthcare System staff on a wide variety of patient care issues
May be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities
Oversees the establishment of program monitors and outcome measurements within programs assigned using data‑driven quality assurance processes
Plans and oversees the completion of personal research programs – designed to provide information regarding program planning and relevant treatment approaches
Presents outcome data and research results at VA and regional or national scientific or professional meetings
Assists in preparation of RFPs and grant proposals – as assigned
Actively serves on Healthcare System VISN and/or National VA committees, workgroups, or task forces
Represents psychology on decision‑making committees at the Healthcare System or VISN
Actively participates in leadership roles on local, state, and national professional organizations
Represents the Healthcare System at professional or program community group events and committees
Other duties as assigned
Work schedule: The primary tour of duty will be Monday‑Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
However, the selectee may be required to work or travel between any of the locations within Corporate Orlando – including the Lake Nona campus
The selectee may also be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis – based on patient care needs
Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus): May be authorized for a highly qualified candidate
Permanent change of station (relocation assistance): Not authorized
EDRP authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
Contact: VISN8CCOE@va.gov – EDRP Coordinator for questions or assistance
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid time off: 37‑50 days of annual paid time off per year (13‑26 days of annual leave – 13 days of sick leave – 11 paid federal holidays per year)
Parental leave: After 12 months of employment – up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with 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 401(k) 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: Ad‑hoc virtual – this is not a virtual position
Functional statement #: Staff Psychologist BHIP GS‑11/12/13 82483F/82484F/82485F – Permanent change of station (PCS): Not authorized
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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 eligibility requirements per 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 review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.
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
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; (b) The specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed
OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution – with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature
AND 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. 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 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: 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 temporary appointment as a graduate psychologist at the GS‑11 or GS‑12 grade under the authority of 38 USC 7405 for a period not to exceed two years of employment on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a licensed psychologist
Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment
English Language Proficiency: Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 – Part II – Chapter 3 – section A – paragraph 3j
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 in this occupation who meet the criteria)
All persons employed in VHA as a psychologist on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held – including positive education (i.e., degree and internship requirements) and licensure/certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
Employees grandfathered under this provision for this revision may be reassigned – promoted up to and including the full performance journey level – or changed to lower grade within the occupation – but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions or beyond the assignment currently held for those being grandfathered to assignments above FPL
Psychologists who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
Psychologists initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
NOTE: If psychologists who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re‑entry to the occupation
Grade Determinations: Staff Psychologist – GS‑11 (Entry level) – Experience: None beyond the basic requirements
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
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
Preferred Experience: Preference will be given to candidates with experience in psychological testing and supervision of students
Reference: VA Handbook 5005/103 – Part II – Appendix G18
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: Work is mostly sedentary – requires light lifting – under 15 lbs; light carrying under 15 lbs; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, hands, and legs; walking and standing
Duties
The selected Staff Psychologist will be expected to provide assigned psychological services within the MH&BSS for mental health patients at community‑based outpatient clinic (CBOC) sites including Clermont, Deltona, Kissimmee, and Tavares
The Specialty Mental Health Clinic (MHC) BHIP Teams is a multidisciplinary outpatient program within the MH&BSS that provides state‑of‑the‑art mental health services for veterans based on the psychiatric rehabilitation recovery model
The services include: a wide range of diagnostic and rehabilitative services for veterans with mental illnesses; collaboration and advocacy for veterans and their family members; education and training of staff in conjunction with other VA professionals to promote the transition from maintenance models of treatment to the contemporary recovery model; championing evidence‑based therapies and a measurement‑based approach to care
Some of the duties include – but are not limited to:
Provides a full range of psychodiagnostic services including assessment and use of the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques to provide quality care
Performs diagnostic evaluations for veterans with a full range of mental disorders
Conducts psychological testing and assessments utilizing objective measures – clinical interviews – records reviews – and consultation with other treating providers as needed – and prepares testing reports
Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions – including evidence‑based treatments for PTSD and other mental disorders
Responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Healthcare System – as appropriate
Consults with Healthcare System staff on a wide variety of patient care issues
May be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities
Oversees the establishment of program monitors and outcome measurements within programs assigned using data‑driven quality assurance processes
Plans and oversees the completion of personal research programs – designed to provide information regarding program planning and relevant treatment approaches
Presents outcome data and research results at VA and regional or national scientific or professional meetings
Assists in preparation of RFPs and grant proposals – as assigned
Actively serves on Healthcare System VISN and/or National VA committees, workgroups, or task forces
Represents psychology on decision‑making committees at the Healthcare System or VISN
Actively participates in leadership roles on local, state, and national professional organizations
Represents the Healthcare System at professional or program community group events and committees
Other duties as assigned
Work schedule: The primary tour of duty will be Monday‑Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
However, the selectee may be required to work or travel between any of the locations within Corporate Orlando – including the Lake Nona campus
The selectee may also be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis – based on patient care needs
Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus): May be authorized for a highly qualified candidate
Permanent change of station (relocation assistance): Not authorized
EDRP authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
Contact: VISN8CCOE@va.gov – EDRP Coordinator for questions or assistance
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid time off: 37‑50 days of annual paid time off per year (13‑26 days of annual leave – 13 days of sick leave – 11 paid federal holidays per year)
Parental leave: After 12 months of employment – up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with 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 401(k) 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: Ad‑hoc virtual – this is not a virtual position
Functional statement #: Staff Psychologist BHIP GS‑11/12/13 82483F/82484F/82485F – Permanent change of station (PCS): Not authorized
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