U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Staff Psychologist (BHIP)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Tucson, Arizona, United States, 85718
Staff Psychologist (BHIP)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range This range is provided by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range $88,428.00/yr - $163,848.00/yr
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 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
OR - (3) Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally accredited institution - with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature
AND - Internships: (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 (pre1979) 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 a temporary appointment as a "graduate psychologist" at the GS‑11 or GS‑12 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. §7405 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; a psychologist who fails to maintain the required licensure must be removed from the occupation - which may result in termination of employment; at the discretion of the appointing official an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists)
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 who are in this occupation and meet the criteria))
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); 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 (KSAs):
Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations
Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies; incorporate new clinical procedures; conduct research activities; performance of basic research tasks within context of an established research team
Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health; knowledge of clinical research literature
Duties
Duties include - but are not limited to: works as part of a multidisciplinary team within BHIP providing assessment, therapy, and rehabilitative services for Veterans with a wide range of mental and behavioral health diagnoses and symptoms
Provides a full range of psycho‑diagnostic services including comprehensive psychological assessments, psychological testing and interpretation, and use of appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques to provide quality care to a wide range of patient populations
Provides assessment and treatment services in a full continuum of clinical settings and modalities including individual, group, couples/family therapy, video telehealth, telephonic, and face‑to‑face care formats
Makes use of evidence‑based treatments for a full range of patient populations and psychiatric conditions covered in DSM‑5
Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for an assigned caseload of patients with the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS)
Participates in treatment team meetings with patients and interdisciplinary staff to recommend and review treatment plans
Provides education to patients, family members, and significant others as needed
Provides consultation and advice to professional staff within the BHIP team, Mental Health Service, and SAVAHCS and to community providers concerning clinical assessment findings, appropriate treatment plans, and patient care issues
Responsible for timely completion of clinical reminders, consults, return to clinic orders, open encounters, documentation, secure messages, patient correspondence, and other clinical‑administrative requirements as required by the MHS – Medical Center or healthcare system – and/or VA
Returns patient phone calls and provides guidance to patients on treatment options in a timely manner
Accomplishes suicide risk screenings, risk assessments, safety plans, behavior reports, and other processes relevant to suicide prevention standards
Provides case management for identified populations as indicated
Functions independently as a member of the SAVAHCS Medical Staff with full clinical privileges as requested and approved during credentialing
Assumes complete professional responsibility for clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, documentation
Provides psychotherapy and/or psychological assessments, including psychological testing for other programs in the Mental Health Service when necessary
Preferred Experience: provides time‑limited evidence‑based psychotherapy, diagnosing mental health disorders, and working with Veterans and/or military populations; experience and training in family therapy
Benefits and Work Schedule
Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. / 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service
Compressed/Flexible schedule options available
Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus) not authorized
Relocation Assistance not authorized
Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) authorized: the position is eligible; must submit application within four months of start date; award amount up to $200,000; eligibility period one to five years; former participants ineligible; contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance
Leave benefits: After 12 months of employment up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement; Child Care Subsidy after 60 days of employment; eligible for subsidies up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs up to $416.66 per month
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA; insurance: health/vision/dental/term life/lon‑term care; telework: authorized for highly qualified candidates after supervisor determines readiness; eligibility discussed during interview; virtual option not available
Seniority level Entry level
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Health Care Provider
Industry Government Administration
Location Tucson, AZ
#J-18808-Ljbffr
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range This range is provided by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range $88,428.00/yr - $163,848.00/yr
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 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
OR - (3) Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally accredited institution - with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature
AND - Internships: (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 (pre1979) 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 a temporary appointment as a "graduate psychologist" at the GS‑11 or GS‑12 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. §7405 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; a psychologist who fails to maintain the required licensure must be removed from the occupation - which may result in termination of employment; at the discretion of the appointing official an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists)
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 who are in this occupation and meet the criteria))
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); 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 (KSAs):
Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations
Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies; incorporate new clinical procedures; conduct research activities; performance of basic research tasks within context of an established research team
Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health; knowledge of clinical research literature
Duties
Duties include - but are not limited to: works as part of a multidisciplinary team within BHIP providing assessment, therapy, and rehabilitative services for Veterans with a wide range of mental and behavioral health diagnoses and symptoms
Provides a full range of psycho‑diagnostic services including comprehensive psychological assessments, psychological testing and interpretation, and use of appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques to provide quality care to a wide range of patient populations
Provides assessment and treatment services in a full continuum of clinical settings and modalities including individual, group, couples/family therapy, video telehealth, telephonic, and face‑to‑face care formats
Makes use of evidence‑based treatments for a full range of patient populations and psychiatric conditions covered in DSM‑5
Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for an assigned caseload of patients with the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS)
Participates in treatment team meetings with patients and interdisciplinary staff to recommend and review treatment plans
Provides education to patients, family members, and significant others as needed
Provides consultation and advice to professional staff within the BHIP team, Mental Health Service, and SAVAHCS and to community providers concerning clinical assessment findings, appropriate treatment plans, and patient care issues
Responsible for timely completion of clinical reminders, consults, return to clinic orders, open encounters, documentation, secure messages, patient correspondence, and other clinical‑administrative requirements as required by the MHS – Medical Center or healthcare system – and/or VA
Returns patient phone calls and provides guidance to patients on treatment options in a timely manner
Accomplishes suicide risk screenings, risk assessments, safety plans, behavior reports, and other processes relevant to suicide prevention standards
Provides case management for identified populations as indicated
Functions independently as a member of the SAVAHCS Medical Staff with full clinical privileges as requested and approved during credentialing
Assumes complete professional responsibility for clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, documentation
Provides psychotherapy and/or psychological assessments, including psychological testing for other programs in the Mental Health Service when necessary
Preferred Experience: provides time‑limited evidence‑based psychotherapy, diagnosing mental health disorders, and working with Veterans and/or military populations; experience and training in family therapy
Benefits and Work Schedule
Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. / 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service
Compressed/Flexible schedule options available
Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus) not authorized
Relocation Assistance not authorized
Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) authorized: the position is eligible; must submit application within four months of start date; award amount up to $200,000; eligibility period one to five years; former participants ineligible; contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance
Leave benefits: After 12 months of employment up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement; Child Care Subsidy after 60 days of employment; eligible for subsidies up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs up to $416.66 per month
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA; insurance: health/vision/dental/term life/lon‑term care; telework: authorized for highly qualified candidates after supervisor determines readiness; eligibility discussed during interview; virtual option not available
Seniority level Entry level
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Health Care Provider
Industry Government Administration
Location Tucson, AZ
#J-18808-Ljbffr