Psychologist Program Manager, Suicide Prevention

Veterans Health Administration • Dayton, OH

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The full-time, permanent Psychology Program Manager works in the Suicide Prevention Program within Mental Health Service. This doctoral-level licensed psychologist practices independently in providing mental health services and consults with peers and supervisors as appropriate. The role combines clinical care, consultation, supervision, and program management for suicide prevention services.

Clinical work includes diagnosing and treating mental health and substance use disorders using evidence-based interventions. Services may include individual, family, and group psychotherapy, biofeedback, psychological hypnosis, and environmental interventions. The psychologist conducts psychological assessments, interprets tests to support differential diagnoses, provides outpatient services, and consults with other disciplines and units. The position may also involve program evaluation or research.

The manager provides clinical supervision and education to staff and trainees, coordinates multidisciplinary care, and ensures clinical documentation and services meet applicable quality, regulatory, and accreditation requirements. Administrative duties include hiring and training program staff, scheduling and evaluating employees, initiating corrective action, developing staff training, monitoring adherence to Suicide Prevention Program directives, reporting on program performance, identifying and implementing improvements, and maintaining the program budget and fiscal stability.

The position is full-time and permanent, with a Monday–Friday schedule from 0800 to 1630. Ad hoc telework is available under agency policy; this is not a virtual position. A relocation or recruitment incentive and permanent change of station may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and application approval.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in psychology from a qualifying APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited program in a specialty consistent with the assignment; qualifying alternative doctoral education or a completed qualifying re-specialization program may also meet the requirement.
• Successful completion of a professional psychology internship training program meeting the stated accreditation or VHA criteria, subject to the listed alternatives for certain doctoral graduates and programs.
• Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• At least three years of experience as a professional psychologist, including at least one year equivalent to the GS-13 grade level.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines.
• Knowledge of and ability to use evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines appropriately, and to guide staff in using them.
• Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups.
• Skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives.
• Ability to translate management goals and objectives into coordinated and controlled work operations.
• Ability to establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards.
• Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and develop and implement solutions that support sound program operations.
• Valid state-issued driver's license.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination and, if selected for a testing-designated position, drug screening.
• Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete required onboarding and application documentation.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet the stated education documentation requirements; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• If the completed internship was not accredited at the time, current board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty consistent with the assignment is required, subject to the stated conditions.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• A highly qualified candidate may be eligible for a relocation or recruitment incentive and permanent change of station.
• Applicants pending completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected, but cannot be hired until all requirements are met.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and treat mental health and substance use disorders using evidence-based interventions and modalities.
• Provide individual, family, and group psychotherapy and other interventions, including biofeedback, psychological hypnosis, and environmental interventions.
• Conduct comprehensive psychological assessments and formulate diagnostic impressions using standardized and clinically appropriate methods.
• Interpret psychological tests and provide differential diagnoses.
• Provide outpatient mental health and substance use services and consultation to other disciplines or units.
• Deliver evidence-based and evidence-informed psychotherapy for mental health, substance use, behavioral, and psychosocial concerns within granted clinical privileges.
• Complete clinical documentation and charting in accordance with healthcare system timelines, quality standards, and accreditation requirements.
• Provide clinical supervision, guidance, and education to unlicensed staff, trainees, and assigned staff.
• Consult with professional personnel on psychological services and treatment planning.
• Educate patients, family members, professional staff, and trainees about mental health conditions and treatment approaches.
• Assess risk of self-harm or harm to others and implement suicide prevention and crisis management procedures.
• Participate in multidisciplinary medical and mental health teams in inpatient, outpatient, or specialty care settings.
• Organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Ensure the assigned work area meets regulatory and accreditation requirements and aligns with national and local priorities and objectives.
• Hire and train Suicide Prevention Program staff; schedule, evaluate, and, when needed, initiate corrective action for employees.
• Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate staff in-service training.
• Monitor program adherence to Suicide Prevention Program directives.
• Report program performance, identify improvement needs, and develop objectives to improve the program.
• Maintain the program budget and fiscal stability.
• Participate in program evaluation or research activities as applicable.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan reimbursement, subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or agency needs.
• 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 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 criteria.
• 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