Psychologist Program Manager (120 Day Detail)- Inpatient Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Battle Creek, MI

9d

About The Position

This 120-day detail is a leadership development opportunity for an experienced mental health professional serving as the Inpatient Mental Health Program Manager. The incumbent provides leadership and oversight for a multidisciplinary inpatient mental health program, managing daily operations and supporting high-quality, Veteran-centered, recovery-oriented care. The role includes staff supervision and coordination, program administration, compliance oversight, performance monitoring, resource planning, collaboration with stakeholders, and support for program development, quality improvement, and strategic planning. The incumbent also provides professional clinical services, including assessment, consultation, and therapeutic intervention, as needed.

The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; nights and weekend availability may be required in emergent situations. Work occurs predominantly on the nursing unit and in other hospital areas, with possible minimal community travel to meet with agencies and partners. The role involves working with acutely and chronically physically and mentally ill patients, regular exposure to infectious and contagious diseases, and use of infection-control precautions and personal protective equipment as needed.

Applicants must meet the VA psychologist education, internship, licensure, and GS-14 experience requirements. The role requires a doctoral degree in psychology meeting specified accreditation or historical-degree criteria, an acceptable professional psychology internship or qualifying alternative, a full and unrestricted doctoral-level psychology license, and at least three years of professional psychologist experience, including one year equivalent to GS-13. Applicants must also demonstrate the specified leadership, operational, clinical-practice, and problem-solving knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy.
• Doctoral degree in psychology meeting the specified APA, PCSAS, or CPA accreditation requirements, or an eligible alternative degree and re-specialization pathway, or qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree.
• Completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, or an accepted alternative described in the announcement.
• Full, current, unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• At least three years of experience as a professional psychologist, including at least one year equivalent to GS-13.
• 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 and guide staff in their use.
• Ability to deal effectively with individuals and groups.
• Skill in managing and directing others' work 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 implement solutions that support sound program operations.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Compliance with required background and security investigation, drug testing if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, onboarding, identification, influenza vaccination, and application-document requirements.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, bend, move freely, and use good body mechanics when lifting or restraining patients; good hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity.
• Ability to work with acutely and chronically physically and mentally ill patients, including exposure to potentially negative verbal and physical behaviors.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring close visual acuity, extensive reading, data preparation and analysis, computer-terminal viewing, and repetitive wrist, hand, or finger motions.
• Ability to follow infection-control standard precautions and use personal protective equipment as required.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated employment conditions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the multidisciplinary Inpatient Mental Health program.
• Manage daily program operations and ensure compliance with VHA and accreditation standards.
• Oversee admissions, discharges, and transitions of care.
• Promote high-quality, Veteran-centered, recovery-oriented treatment services.
• Supervise and coordinate interdisciplinary staff and manage workforce needs.
• Monitor program performance and outcomes; establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards.
• Evaluate staffing and resource needs, including resource, budget, and operational management.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, community agencies, and VA partners to enhance services and improve patient care.
• Support program development, quality improvement activities, and strategic planning.
• Provide professional clinical services, including assessment, consultation, and therapeutic intervention, as needed.
• Guide staff in the appropriate use of evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines.
• Analyze organizational and operational problems and develop and implement solutions.
• Translate management goals and objectives into coordinated and controlled work operations.
• Travel minimally into the community, as needed, to meet with community agencies and partners.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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