Psychologist-Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI)

Veterans Health Administration • White City, OR

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Psychologist provides Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) services, delivering psychological assessment, brief evidence-based interventions, treatment planning, consultation, and patient and family education in primary care. The role supports patients in receiving appropriate behavioral health care while remaining with their Primary Care Provider when clinically appropriate. The psychologist also supervises trainees, participates in psychology training activities, contributes to clinical program development and evaluation, and coordinates care with other health programs. The position may require full-time service at a community-based outpatient clinic in Grants Pass or Klamath Falls. The position is not virtual; ad-hoc telework may be available at the supervisor’s discretion.

The position is open and continuous and may be taken down at any time. The full performance level is GS-13; selections may be made at GS-11 through GS-13. Eligible employees may qualify for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and program approval. EDRP awards may be up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen, except where non-citizen appointment is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Hold a doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program in a specialty consistent with the assignment, or meet one of the stated re-specialization or historical-degree alternatives.
• Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship meeting the stated accreditation or alternative requirements.
• Hold a full, current, unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; qualifying unlicensed applicants may receive a temporary graduate psychologist appointment under supervision for up to two years.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• GS-12: Have at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11 and demonstrate the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• GS-13: Have at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, and demonstrate the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Meet VA pre-employment conditions, including applicable drug screening, background/security investigation, onboarding and identification requirements, and seasonal influenza vaccination.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a primary care setting or prior experience with same-day mental health needs or crisis management.

Responsibilities

• Provide diagnostic and evaluation services appropriate to primary care, including psychological evaluation of emotional and behavioral problems and suicide assessment.
• Provide psychological interventions consistent with training and expertise, emphasizing brief, evidence-based interventions effective in primary care.
• Develop, implement, and document psychotherapeutic treatment plans for an assigned caseload, including prompt completion of clinical reminders.
• Facilitate patient and family education appropriate to the primary care setting and presenting mental or behavioral health issues.
• Consult with providers to support primary care decision-making, build on provider interventions, and improve provider-patient working relationships.
• Provide interventions that allow patients to remain with their Primary Care Provider for their health care needs when clinically appropriate.
• Supervise trainees conducting direct clinical care.
• Perform administrative duties, including scheduling Veterans, returning phone calls and secure messages, writing reports, and attending organizational meetings.
• Participate in the development and ongoing improvement of Psychology Training Programs and attend Psychology Training Committee meetings.
• Attend psychology training meetings as directed by the Psychology Training Director, Direct Supervisor, Chief of Outpatient Behavioral Health, and/or Mental Health Associate Chief of Staff.
• Assist the PCMHI Coordinator with the design, development, and implementation of clinical programs for a team of treatment providers.
• Assist the PCMHI Coordinator with ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects to monitor clinical program effectiveness.
• Build liaisons with other health care programs to coordinate services effectively.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 for one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, 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.
• Potential childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment.
• 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 programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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