Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health Consultant)

Military Treatment Facilities under DHA • Chesapeake, VA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is with the Defense Health Agency, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, at the Tricare Prime Clinic (TPC) in Chesapeake, Virginia. The Clinical Psychologist provides team-based care to Military Health System beneficiaries, including evidence-based biopsychosocial assessment, treatment, prevention, and management of mental health problems and biopsychosocially influenced health conditions. This is a Direct Hire Solicitation.

The position applies biopsychosocial evaluations to recommend mental health interventions, provides evidence-based behavioral, cognitive, and motivational treatments, and works with primary care providers and staff to coordinate care. The psychologist provides regular, concise feedback on referred patients and recommendations for team-based care, and implements psychoeducational classes addressing high-frequency diagnoses in the primary care clinic.

The role requires a doctoral degree directly related to professional work in clinical psychology, one year of specialized experience, and an active, unrestricted license to practice psychology independently. The incumbent must meet credentialing and clinical privilege requirements, maintain required certifications and immunizations, and satisfy security, background, and drug-screening requirements. The position is designated Mission Essential and Inclement Weather Essential; on-call work during irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, may be required.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) directly related to full professional work in clinical psychology.
• One year of specialized experience conducting mental health assessments, providing individual and group treatment, and working as part of a multidisciplinary team; experience must be at the next lower federal grade/level (GS-12).
• Current, active, valid, unrestricted license to practice psychology independently from a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, a commonwealth, territory, or jurisdiction; a copy must be included with the application.
• Ability to obtain and maintain eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access.
• Ability to fulfill credentialing requirements and obtain and maintain appropriate clinical privileges.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from, or in accordance with, the American Heart Association or American Red Cross; advanced certification does not replace BLS.
• Submit to required background investigation, credit check, pre-employment urinalysis, and applicable random and other drug testing.
• Meet immunization and tuberculosis-testing requirements, including seasonal influenza vaccination unless an approved medical or religious exemption applies; Hepatitis B immunization is required for direct patient contact.
• Ability to work on call during irregular hours, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, or varying schedules.
• Ability to report to or remain at work during severe weather or other emergency conditions.
• U.S. citizenship; proof of citizenship is required.
• For applicants using foreign education, have credentials evaluated and established as equivalent to an accredited U.S. education program or have full course credit granted by an accredited U.S. institution.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• Complete a one-year probationary period; continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.

Nice To Haves

• Highly qualified candidates may be considered for recruitment or relocation incentives.
• Highly qualified candidates may be considered for an advanced in-hire incentive.
• Highly qualified candidates may be considered for an enhanced leave accrual incentive.

Responsibilities

• Conduct biopsychosocial evaluations and propose mental health interventions.
• Provide evidence-based treatment using behavioral, cognitive, and motivational approaches.
• Give primary care providers and staff regular, concise updates on referred patients and recommend team-based care.
• Implement psychoeducational classes targeting high-frequency diagnoses in the primary care clinic.
• Obtain and maintain required clinical privileges and Basic Life Support certification.
• Report to work or remain at work during severe weather or other emergencies when scheduled, as a Mission Essential and Inclement Weather Essential employee.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree