Psychologist - Associate Chief of Staff, Behavioral Health

Veterans Health Administration • Butler, PA

15h • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Chief of Staff, Behavioral Health leads a multidisciplinary staff in delivering Behavioral Health care to veterans and is responsible for supervision and management of all Behavioral Health Services at the Butler VAMC. This includes outpatient mental health services at the main facility and satellite clinics, residential MHRRTP programs, and services and staff within Social Work Services and Psychology Services.

The incumbent provides executive-level leadership to establish and maintain high standards of care. The role oversees teaching, education, and research programs; develops new programs and treatment approaches; and monitors performance goals, program evaluations, and compliance with accrediting and monitoring entities. The position also represents Behavioral Health in medical center decision-making, VA committees, professional organizations, and community events, and consults on research initiatives.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program, with a specialty consistent with the assignment; or an accepted alternative doctoral degree and qualifying respecialization or historical degree pathway.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, or an accepted alternative internship pathway.
• Full, current, unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• At least three years of professional psychologist experience, 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 evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines, and ability to guide staff in using them.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and groups from divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view.
• Skill in managing and directing others 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 support sound program operations.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, drug testing for testing-designated positions, and physical examination.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading and managing complex healthcare operations.
• Experience mentoring and developing staff.
• Strategic planning experience.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching and clinical practice.
• Current American Board of Professional Psychology certification in a specialty consistent with the assignment when required because the completed internship was not accredited at the time.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Behavioral Health Services at the Butler VAMC, including outpatient mental health services, satellite clinics, residential MHRRTP programs, Social Work Services, and Psychology Services.
• Assign and delegate work based on priorities, assignment requirements, and employees’ capabilities.
• Develop performance standards and evaluate subordinate employees’ performance.
• Advise, counsel, and instruct employees on work and administrative matters.
• Interview candidates and recommend appointments, promotions, or reassignments.
• Hear and resolve employee complaints and group grievances, and take disciplinary measures as appropriate.
• Identify employee development and training needs and provide or arrange appropriate training.
• Improve productivity and work quality, eliminate bottlenecks and barriers, promote team building, and improve business practices.
• Recommend changes in position management, subject to approval by higher-level officials.
• Lead teaching, education, and research programs for Behavioral Health Services.
• Serve on Medical Center, VISN, and national VA committees or task forces as assigned by the Chief of Staff.
• Represent Behavioral Health Service on Medical Center decision-making committees and participate in leadership roles in professional organizations.
• Represent the Medical Center at professional and community events and committees.
• Provide leadership in developing new programs and treatment approaches, including programs delivered with community partners or other VA facilities.
• Monitor and educate staff about assigned performance measures and work toward achieving benchmark goals.
• Complete required program evaluations and documents on time, ensure compliance with accrediting and monitoring bodies, and consult with others to guide and stimulate research.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 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 experience.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, subject to the stated conditions.
• Child care subsidy potentially available to eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility requirements.
• 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 can be carried into retirement.
• Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

What This Job Offers

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