ASHHRA Career Center

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. 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. 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). NOTE: 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Preferred Experience: Experience/training in professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations Experience/training in consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health Knowledge of clinical research literature. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Staff Psychologist (Entry Level): Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 Staff Psychologist (Developmental Level): Experience. At least 1 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate 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. GS-13 Staff Psychologist (Full Performance Level): Experience. At least 2 years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate 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. *Experience is only creditable if it is post-doctoral degree experience as a professional psychologist directly related to the duties performed. Post-Doctoral Degree Fellowships. Postdoctoral fellowships or residencies are training programs in an advanced area of clinical practice. Training as a fellow or resident is considered to be creditable experience on a year-for-year basis. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18 Psychologist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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: Light Lifting/Carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability; mostly sitting with some walking. ["*** THIS VACANCY HAS BEEN EXTENDED. IT WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED. Candidates will be reviewed approximately every two weeks. *** The Psychologist works amongst the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) team serving as a Clinical Psychologist in the Primary Care setting utilizing the blended PCMHI model. In this capacity, he/she works closely with the PACT teams (Primary Care Physicians, Registered Nurses, LVN, scheduling clerks) and extended PACT team members to provide brief, time-limited individual therapy, group therapy, and assessment for a range of mood disorders and medical conditions. The incumbent also provides consultation services to members of the PACT teams and participates in program development activities in conjunction with other team members. In addition to observance of Federal national and local regulatory, policy, and accreditation requirements governing this Health Care System, this position encompasses the following examples of responsibilities overseen by a staff physician. Psychologists require appropriate time mapping and resources to ensure they are empowered to meet expected proficiencies in administration, clinical practice, education, and research as applicable. Clinical Responsibilities: Provides a full range of diagnostic and evaluation services appropriate for the primary care setting, especially in the areas of general psychological evaluation of emotional and behavioral problems and suicide assessment; includes the use of psychological testing for patients in areas of special interest/expertise, under the supervision of a licensed staff psychologist. Performs psychological evaluations for individuals with mental health and medical disorders for purposes of diagnostic clarification and treatment planning recommendations, under the supervision of a licensed staff psychologist. These evaluations employ a comprehensive diagnostic interview, review of available records, collateral contact when available, as well as objective, and cognitive tests when indicated. Provides a full range of psychological interventions consistent with training and expertise, with special emphasis on brief and evidence-based interventions when indicated and that are found to be effective in primary care settings with individuals with mental health and medical disorders. Provides consultation services to support PCP decision-making, building on PCP interventions and improving PCP-patient working relationships; serves as a resource for other professional personnel concerning the need for, evaluation of, and development of psychological services. Facilitates patient and family education appropriate to the primary care setting and the specific presenting mental or behavioral health issues; Provides interventions with a focus on allowing patients to remain with their Primary Care Provider (PCP) for the full range of their health care needs to the extent that this is clinically appropriate. May be asked to assist in the selection, training, and supervision of staff at lower grades within assigned program area, Psychology Service, or STVHCS. Academic/teaching/research: Provides consultation and training to Primary Care Service Line staff in the identification and management of common mental and behavioral health disorders that present in a primary care setting when indicated. May be asked to serve as a clinical supervisor to psychology pre-doctoral interns and doctoral level practicum students in psychology and other disciplines, under the supervision of a licensed staff psychologist. May be asked to prepare and teach seminars/workshops for STVHCS trainees/staff on topics within interest/competency areas. May be asked to serve as a member of the STVHCS Psychology Training Committee. May be asked to conduct approved psychological research that supports the mission of STVHCS alone or in collaboration with other professionals in STVHCS or affiliated academic institutions. May choose to apply for a faculty appointment at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified candidate. EDRP Authorized: Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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