Staff Psychologist - Geropsychologist

SummaryThis 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.QualificationsApplicants 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 RequirementsCitizenship: Be a citizen of the United States(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3.g - this part.) 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 ColumbiaExceptionNon-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 licensedFailure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointmentEducation: 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 employedOR 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 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 Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution - with a dissertation primarily psychological in natureAND Internships: 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 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 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 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 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 programMay 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: GS-11 - Staff Psychologist (Entry Level) Experience: None beyond the basic requirementsGS-12 - Staff Psychologist 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 levelDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations2Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies3Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures4Ability to conduct research activities - such as designing and implementing clinical research projects (staff psychologists with specified research job duties)5Ability 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 collaborationGS-13 - Staff Psychologist (Full Performance Level) Experience: 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 Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1Knowledge of - and ability to apply - professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations2Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health3Knowledge 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-13Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the work are generally minor and are generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional travelPhysical activity involves sitting - standing - walking - bending - stooping - climbing stairs - and carrying light items such as papers - books or other suppliesThe incumbent uses a computer and standard office equipment to complete tasksThe emotional demands can be stressful in working with the Veteran/Patient population and their families/caregiversA level of self-awareness is essential.DutiesVA Careers - Psychologist: https://youtube.com/embed/77qHlLw9Xck Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Geropsychologist is located in the TVHS Mental Health Care line - Psychology sectionPosition reports to the Chief of Psychology through the Dementia Care CoordinatorDuties include providing diagnostic interviews - assessments - and psychotherapy for the geriatric veteran populationCLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES (80% of time) 1Ability to diagnose mental disorders and conduct psychological and/or cognitive function assessments and neuropsychological screenings2Ability to treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities - particularly PTSD and Substance Abuse - and provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders3Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including assessment and using the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care4Performs evaluations for psychodiagnosis - treatment planning and functional evaluations for PTSD and Substance Abuse5Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions including individual and group psychotherapy - family therapy - consultation - rehabilitation and psychoeducation6Consults with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issuesStaff clinical psychologists may be involved in program evaluation and/or research activitiesAcademic/Teaching/Training (approximately 10% of time) 1Provides training and clinical supervision to psychology trainees - psychology technicians and unlicensed psychologists2Involved in Psychology Training Program and Training Committee3Provides leadership guidance and consultation to staff of units to which assigned4Serves as a consultant to other medical center staff and trainees and assist in their formulation of the psychological characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations regarding their patients5May hold faculty appointments at an affiliated universityResearch/Program Evaluation (approximately 5% of time) 1Creates - monitors - and analyzes program monitors and outcome measurements within programs assigned using data-driven quality assurance processes - as assigned2Is responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system - as appropriate3If applicable - plans and oversees the completion of personal research programs - designed to provide information regarding program planning and relevant treatment approaches4Presents outcome data and research results at VA and regional or national scientific or professional meetings - if applicable5Assists in preparation of RFP's and grant proposals - as assignedPerforms other related duties as assignedWork Schedule: 8am - 4:30pm - Monday - Friday (Alternate tours to be considered) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increasesWhen 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: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 71411F/71412F/71073F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized