Psychologist

Veterans Health Administration • San Antonio, TX

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Psychologist position offers selection at GS-11 (Entry Level), GS-12 (Developmental Level), or GS-13 (Full Performance Level). The role provides psychological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, with clinical responsibilities comprising approximately 90–100% of time at GS-11, 80–100% at GS-12, and 75–100% at GS-13. Higher grades include increasing independence and responsibilities for consultation, supervision, training, teaching, research, and program coordination. The full performance level is GS-13; the actual grade selected may range from GS-11 to GS-13.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and application review. The potential award is up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible. Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework may be available on an ad hoc basis under agency policy; this is not a virtual position. Recruitment and relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station assistance are not authorized.

The role requires a doctoral degree in psychology meeting specified accreditation or historical-degree criteria, completion of an acceptable professional psychology internship, and a full, current, unrestricted doctoral-level psychology license. Certain otherwise-qualified non-licensed applicants may receive a temporary GS-11 or GS-12 graduate psychologist appointment for up to two years, practicing under licensed supervision and subject to obtaining licensure. The work is sedentary overall, with some movement between work areas, walking or standing for meetings or conferences, and carrying or lifting light items under 15 pounds.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated limited exception for non-citizens under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program, with a specialty consistent with the assignment; alternatively, the posting specifies qualifying routes involving doctoral-level respecialization or certain doctoral degrees awarded from 1951 to 1978.
• Successful completion of an acceptable professional psychology internship consistent with the assignment, subject to the listed alternative pathways and exceptions.
• Full, current, unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, or qualifying temporary graduate psychologist appointment under licensed supervision.
• GS-11: no experience beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-12: at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11, plus the stated knowledge and abilities in psychological treatments or assessment, treatment strategy design, and clinical procedures; research capabilities apply as specified for research-duty positions.
• GS-13: at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus ability to apply professional psychological treatments across patient populations, provide professional advice and consultation, and knowledge of clinical research literature.
• Meet applicable application, background/security, drug-testing, identification, onboarding, influenza vaccination, and trial-period conditions described in the posting.
• Physical work is sedentary overall, with occasional movement, walking or standing, and lifting or carrying items under 15 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• GS-12: experience working on interdisciplinary teams or in a large medical center.
• GS-12: experience working with veteran and diverse populations.
• GS-12: experience or training in evidence-based psychotherapies.
• GS-13: experience working on interdisciplinary teams or in a large medical center.
• GS-13: experience working with veteran and diverse populations.
• GS-13: experience or training in evidence-based psychotherapies.
• GS-13: completion of an APA-accredited postdoctoral fellowship.
• GS-13: administrative or process-improvement experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychological diagnostic evaluations, including assessment of emotional, behavioral, and suicide-related concerns.
• Administer and interpret psychological testing within assigned areas of practice.
• Develop diagnostic and treatment recommendations using interviews, records, collateral information, and testing.
• Provide individual, family or couples, and group psychotherapy.
• Deliver evidence-based psychological interventions, including brief episodes of care.
• Coordinate care and comply with clinical documentation, performance measures, and treatment-program procedures.
• Provide professional consultation to other disciplines regarding psychological and behavioral health matters.
• Assist with training and supervision of lower-grade staff and psychology trainees.
• Participate in teaching, research, and limited program-management activities.
• Independently provide psychological diagnostic and evaluation services and formulate diagnostic and treatment recommendations using comprehensive assessment methods and psychological testing.
• Serve as a professional consultant and psychological resource to interdisciplinary staff and programs.
• Supervise and train psychology staff, interns, fellows, practicum students, and other trainees as assigned.
• Lead or participate in program coordination, professional education, research, committees, and other service-level activities.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with a potential award of up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and program approval.
• 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, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Possible credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility 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 may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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