Psychologist (Program Manager)- Inpatient Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Battle Creek, MI

9d

About The Position

The Psychologist (Program Manager) oversees the Inpatient Mental Health (IMH) program, with approximately 80% of the role devoted to administrative responsibilities and 20% to clinical work. The Program Manager ensures compliance with VHA, JCAHO, and other regulatory and accrediting standards, with particular attention to safety in IMH units. The role develops and monitors evidence-based treatment programming, sets and implements short- and long-range program goals, and establishes data-driven quality assurance measures and outcomes. The Program Manager also manages admissions, discharges, and transitions between levels of care, and oversees program resources, budgets, staffing, space, equipment, and technology.

The position provides direct or indirect administrative and professional supervision to an interdisciplinary team. Approximately 19 FTEE, including psychiatrists, psychologists, physician assistants, social workers, recreational therapists, and peer support specialists, report to the Program Manager; the role also has matrixed responsibility for nursing staff and fractional FTEEs in chaplaincy, pharmacy, and dietetics. The Program Manager promotes team cohesion, communication, and conflict resolution; assesses employee qualifications and abilities; and directs resource allocation and coordinated work operations.

Clinical duties include using and guiding staff in evidence-based practices and clinical guidelines; providing psychological assessment, testing, consultations, and evaluations for Veterans; and delivering individual, couples/family, and group therapy. The Program Manager also oversees or participates in training psychology and other health-profession trainees as appropriate. The position may involve long-term care, acute and chronic mental illness, and limited community travel to meet with agencies and partners. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; nights and/or weekends may be required. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to VHA eligibility and approval requirements, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in psychology from a qualifying APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited program, with a specialty consistent with the assignment; qualifying alternatives include an eligible doctoral re-specialization program or certain doctoral degrees awarded between 1951 and 1978.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, or an allowed alternative under the stated VHA 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.
• 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 implement solutions that result in sound program operations.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Must meet applicable background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, bend, and move freely; use good body mechanics to lift or restrain patients; and maintain hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity.
• Must be emotionally stable and cooperative, and clean and neat in appearance.
• Ability to work in a nursing unit and escort patients to clinics or hospital areas, with regular exposure to infection and contagious diseases and use of required infection-control precautions and personal protective equipment.
• Close visual acuity and repetitive wrist, hand, and/or finger motions are required.

Nice To Haves

• Long-term care experience is preferred for highly qualified candidates.

Responsibilities

• Oversee program compliance with VHA, JCAHO, and other regulatory and accrediting standards, including safety standards for inpatient mental health units.
• Develop and monitor evidence-based treatment program content that addresses the biopsychological needs of Veterans across ages, genders, and warzone backgrounds.
• Develop short- and long-range program goals and plans and implement policies and procedures to achieve them.
• Establish program monitors and outcome measurements using data-driven quality assurance processes.
• Manage admission and discharge processes to support patient flow and coordinated transitions between levels of care.
• Manage resources and finances, including budget formulation and monitoring, staffing assessments, space planning, and equipment and technology needs.
• Provide direct or indirect administrative and professional supervision to subordinate staff and direct resource allocation within the area of responsibility.
• Promote cohesion and communication among interdisciplinary team members and mediate conflicts.
• Assess the qualifications and abilities of current and prospective employees.
• Translate management goals and objectives into coordinated and controlled work operations and collaborate with other disciplines and supervisors.
• Use evidence-based practices and clinical guidelines appropriately and guide staff in their use.
• Provide psychological diagnostic services, including psychological testing, consultations, and evaluations for Veterans referred to IMH.
• Provide individual, couples/family, and group therapy using appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques.
• Oversee or participate in the training of psychology trainees and other health-profession trainees as appropriate.
• Organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines.
• Establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards.
• Analyze organizational and operational problems and develop and implement solutions that support sound program operations.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with a potential award of up to $200,000 over an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package.

What This Job Offers

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