Inpatient Staff Psychologist

Department of Veterans Affairs•East Orange, NJ

45d•Onsite

About The Position

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) & 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 ineligible to apply. The Inpatient Staff Psychologist will regularly assess Veterans at risk for suicide and/or other safety risks and provide on-going information to inpatient staff, disruptive behavioral committee, and the suicide prevention team. They will be an active member of the Suicide Prevention Environmental of Care Committee and provide recommendations to leadership based on the checklist requirements, knowledge of unit/staff and mental health recovery.

Responsibilities

Deliver evidence-based psychotherapies (e.g., CBT, DBT, ACT) for individuals and groups in an inpatient setting.
Develop and implement individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
Facilitate group therapy sessions focused on symptom management, coping skills, and psychoeducation.
Serve as the Program Coordinator for the acute inpatient psychiatric unit.
Ensure compliance with VHA Directive 1160.01 (Uniform Mental Health Services).
Oversee implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for acute psychiatric care.
Monitor adherence to VA, Joint Commission, and local facility standards.
Provide coordination and guidance to psychologists, interns, and trainees as required for the daily functions of the inpatient psychiatric unit.
Collaborate with psychiatry, nursing, social work, peer support, and other disciplines.
Ensure psychological input is integrated into treatment planning and discharge processes.
Conduct chart reviews and audits for quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
Participate in risk mitigation, Root Cause Analyses (RCA), and sentinel event reviews.
Assist and update local policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for acute unit.
Ensure alignment with national VA directives and mental health operating procedures.
Lead or participate in performance improvement initiatives and quality assurance projects.
Track and report performance metrics, including but not limited to length of stay, readmission rates, and patient satisfaction.
Coordinate psychological response to psychiatric emergencies and critical incidents.
Participate in Root Cause Analyses as requested by Mental Health Leadership
Support staff during debriefings and post-incident reviews.

Benefits

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
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 experience.
Parental 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 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 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

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