Psychologist (Geriatric and General Mental Health)

Veterans Health Administration • Jamaica Plain, MA

26d • Onsite

About The Position

This staff psychologist position is based in the Geriatric Mental Health Clinic and General Mental Health Clinic at the Jamaica Plain campus of the VA Boston Healthcare System. The psychologist provides evidence-based psychodiagnostic and psychotherapy services to Veterans with complex mental and physical health concerns across the lifespan and works as an integral member of interdisciplinary treatment teams.

The role includes clinical assessment, individual and group interventions, education, treatment planning, and coordination of care with staff in mental health and medical clinics. The psychologist may also contribute to clinical research, program development and evaluation, quality improvement, trainee education, and clinical supervision. Opportunities may be available for a faculty appointment at Boston University or Harvard Medical School.

The position is advertised at GS-11 through GS-13, with GS-13 identified as the full-performance level. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; a compressed schedule may be available. The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and community-based outpatient clinics.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Have a doctoral degree in psychology meeting the stated VHA accreditation or degree-pathway requirements, including an eligible specialty area consistent with the assignment.
• Successfully complete a qualifying professional psychology internship, subject to the stated exceptions.
• Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; eligible non-licensed applicants may be considered for a supervised temporary graduate psychologist appointment under the stated conditions.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Meet the experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities requirements for the grade sought. GS-12 requires at least one year of qualifying postdoctoral professional psychology experience equivalent to GS-11; GS-13 requires at least two years of professional psychology experience, including one year equivalent to GS-12.
• Pass the pre-employment evaluation and any required credentialing, background/security investigation, and drug screening.
• Complete required onboarding and application documentation, and participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period if appointed.
• Be able to sit and work at a computer and engage in light to moderate physical activity, including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies.

Nice To Haves

• Training and experience providing evidence-based individual and group psychotherapies.
• Training and experience in geropsychology.
• Research, program evaluation, teaching, training, or supervision experience, as applicable to the position.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical assessment and empirically based individual and group interventions for Veterans with a variety of mental health disorders across the lifespan.
• Provide education and treatment planning for Veterans.
• Collaborate with staff from mental health and medical clinics to develop treatment plans and coordinate care.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment teams to deliver coordinated mental health care.
• May contribute to clinical research, data-driven program development and evaluation, and quality improvement projects.
• May participate in didactic training and provide clinical supervision to trainees from multiple disciplines.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with an award of up to $200,000 subject to approval and eligibility requirements.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 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, subject to program terms.
• Child care subsidy may be available to eligible full-time employees, subject to income and other conditions.
• Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.
• A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

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