Neuropsychologist

Veterans Health Administration • Las Vegas, NV

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Neuropsychologist provides neuropsychological assessments, which may include cognitive and psychological components, for the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System. The role responds to requests from internal customers and meets performance requirements for the quality and timeliness of clinical care, along with other assigned clinical duties. The position reports to the Chief of Psychology and provides outpatient clinical services directly to Veterans in the Neuropsychology Clinic.

The incumbent reviews subjective and objective information to assess patient needs and strengths, identify treatment options, and evaluate risk factors, acuity, and need for services. The position includes assessment of serious and complicated cases involving psychiatric illness, catastrophic medical conditions, dementia, and other high-risk diagnoses. The Neuropsychologist coordinates consultation requests for evaluations, including scheduling, assessment oversight, test-result evaluation and interpretation, and communication of results to referral sources. The incumbent maintains testing equipment and materials and ensures the correct administration, scoring, and interpretation of measures. Results and other required documentation are entered into the Veteran's electronic medical record.

The role participates in treatment-team and program assignments, consults with specialists about treatment planning for Veterans with comorbidities, and contributes expertise to relevant VHA committees and organizations. Responsibilities also include timely completion of medical-record entries, patient notes, encounters, reports, clinical reminders, and assigned performance measures; participation in Performance Improvement activities; and adherence to HIPAA, privacy regulations, and VHA directives concerning release of information.

This is a full-time position with a Monday–Friday work schedule. The schedule will be discussed during the interview, and a compressed tour of duty may be considered. Ad hoc telework is available; this is not a virtual position. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval. The vacancy is at the GS-13 full-performance level.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from an eligible APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited program, with a specialty consistent with the assignment; alternatively, the listed qualifying re-specialization or 1951–1978 doctoral-degree pathways may apply.
• Completion of a professional psychology internship meeting the specified APA/CPA accreditation or alternative qualification provisions.
• Full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Current American Board of Professional Psychology certification in a specialty consistent with the assignment if the applicant completed an internship that was not accredited when completed.
• At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.
• Ability to provide professional advice and consultation related to professional psychology and behavioral health.
• Knowledge of clinical research literature.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation and physical evaluation; designated positions are subject to pre-employment urinalysis.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Complete the required application and onboarding requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Comply with the EDRP application deadline and eligibility requirements to be considered for student-loan reimbursement.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of experience in neuropsychology testing and report writing.

Responsibilities

• Provide outpatient clinical services, including direct clinical care, to Veterans in the Neuropsychology Clinic.
• Conduct neuropsychological assessments, which may include cognitive and psychological components, in response to internal consultation requests.
• Review subjective and objective data to assess needs and strengths, identify treatment options, and assess risk factors, acuity, and service needs.
• Assess serious and complicated cases involving psychiatric illness, catastrophic medical conditions, dementia, and other high-risk diagnoses.
• Coordinate neuropsychological evaluation consultations, including scheduling referred Veterans, overseeing assessments, evaluating test results, monitoring test interpretation, and communicating results to referral sources.
• Maintain testing equipment, forms, manuals, and materials.
• Ensure accurate administration, scoring, and interpretation of psychological and neuropsychological measures.
• Enter assessment results and other required information into the Veteran's electronic medical record; complete patient notes, encounters, and reports in a timely manner.
• Participate in assigning Veterans to treatment teams and programs and consult with specialists on treatment planning for Veterans with comorbidities.
• Contribute professional expertise to appropriate VHA committees and organizations.
• Participate in Performance Improvement activities.
• Adhere to HIPAA, privacy regulations, and VHA directives regarding release of information.
• Complete assigned clinical reminders and performance measures for patients under the incumbent's care and the Care Line.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program, with potential student-loan reimbursement of up to $200,000 for approved applicants.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees, after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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