Psychologist - Program Manager - Psychiatric Assessment and Clinical Center (PACC)

Veterans Health Administration • Tacoma, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The psychologist serves as Team Lead, Program Manager, and Supervisory Psychologist for the Psychiatric Assessment and Clinical Center (PACC) at the American Lake Division of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Tacoma, Washington. The role manages PACC for the Mental Health Service Line. PACC and Same Day Access provide urgent and walk-in mental health services to Veterans experiencing acute psychiatric conditions that interfere with daily functioning. Services include triage, evaluation, and management of Veterans with a broad range of conditions, including mood and psychotic disorders, PTSD, anxiety disorders, dementia with behavioral disturbances, delirium, co-occurring diagnoses, and imminent risk of harm to self or others. PACC also provides follow-up medication management through an Intensive Outpatient Program for Veterans in crisis who do not require high-intensity inpatient psychiatry, and serves as an entry point for new Veterans seeking mental health treatment, providing assessment and care coordination.

The position provides broad program management for a clinical care team, including leadership in the development, implementation, evaluation, and oversight of a complex program providing comprehensive clinical care to Veterans. The psychologist evaluates program performance and leads data-driven quality-improvement projects, plans and prioritizes team work, and provides clinical supervision or consultation. The role is the first-line supervisor and rater for 11 employees, providing administrative and clinical supervision as appropriate. The psychologist also conducts psychological assessments and diagnostic services and develops, implements, and documents treatment plans for an assigned patient caseload.

The position is based at the American Lake Division in Tacoma, Washington. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ad hoc telework may be available; this is not a virtual position. Eligible employees may apply for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and VHA approval. The position is permanent, and recruitment/relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station assistance are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program, with a specialty consistent with the assignment; specified alternative education and re-specialization pathways may qualify.
• Successful completion of a professional psychology internship meeting the stated accreditation or alternative requirements.
• Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, unless qualifying under the stated grandfathering provision.
• 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 and guide staff in using them.
• Ability to deal effectively with individuals or 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 develop and implement solutions that support sound program operations.
• Meet the announcement's application and employment conditions, including background/security investigation, pre-employment medical evaluation, required onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated evaluation and certification terms.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of experience within mental health.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Psychiatric Assessment and Clinical Center for the Mental Health Service Line.
• Lead the development, implementation, evaluation, and oversight of a complex clinical care program for Veterans.
• Conduct ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality-improvement projects to monitor clinical operations.
• Plan team work, establish priorities and completion timelines, and make adjustments as needed.
• Provide clinical supervision and consultation to team members on VA policies, medico-legal standards, CPRS documentation, and management of complex or dangerous patients.
• Serve as the first-line supervising authority and rater for 11 employees, providing administrative and clinical supervision as appropriate.
• Provide psychological assessment and diagnostic services to Veterans with a broad range of psychopathology.
• Develop, implement, and document mental health treatment plans for an assigned caseload.
• Oversee services that triage, evaluate, and manage Veterans seeking urgent or walk-in mental health care.
• Support follow-up medication management through the Intensive Outpatient Program and assessment and care coordination for new Veterans seeking mental health services.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with an award amount up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of 1–5 years, subject to individual eligibility and program approval.
• Competitive salary with regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Child-care subsidy may be available after 60 days for eligible full-time employees, subject to income and program limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• 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