Psychologist, Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) Program

Veterans Health Administration • Las Vegas, NV

3d

About The Position

The Psychologist provides outpatient psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery services through the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) Program. The role works within a multidisciplinary team, collaborating and coordinating Veteran care with clinical and administrative services. The psychologist uses recovery-oriented interventions and community-supported standards of care, and meets clinical quality and timeliness requirements.

Once credentialed and approved as a PRRC Psychologist, the incumbent diagnoses mental health disorders, conducts assessments, and treats mental health disorders using approved, evidence-based modalities. Services may include individual, family, and group psychotherapy and other approved adjunctive interventions. The psychologist monitors the efficiency, effectiveness, timeliness, and quality of PRRC services and oversees required clinical records. Other clinical duties may be assigned.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday; the schedule is to be discussed during the interview. A compressed schedule may be available, and ad-hoc telework is available. This is not a virtual position. The vacancy may be filled at GS-11 through GS-13, with GS-13 identified as the full-performance level. Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) participation may be available to eligible applicants, subject to VHA requirements and application review.

Requirements

• Hold a full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Meet VA doctoral education requirements, including an eligible doctoral degree in psychology or an eligible doctoral degree with qualifying respecialization, and meet applicable internship requirements.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except where VA policy permits appointment of non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Meet the grade-specific experience and demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities requirements for the grade sought. GS-11 requires no experience beyond the basic requirements; GS-12 requires at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11; GS-13 requires at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including one year equivalent to GS-12.
• If the internship was not APA- or CPA-accredited when completed, hold current American Board of Professional Psychology certification in a specialty consistent with the assignment, as applicable.
• Pass required pre-employment screening, which may include urinalysis, background and security investigation, and physical evaluation or examination.
• Meet onboarding and application-document requirements and participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• Eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility requirements and VHA review.
• For GS-12, demonstrated ability to apply a range of psychological treatments or assessment methods, design and implement treatment strategies, incorporate new clinical procedures, and perform research activities or research tasks as applicable to the role.
• For GS-13, demonstrated ability to apply professional psychological treatments across patient populations, provide professional advice and consultation in psychology and behavioral health, and knowledge of clinical research literature.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate and coordinate Veteran care with multidisciplinary clinical and administrative services.
• Provide outpatient psychosocial rehabilitation services using recovery-oriented interventions and community-supported standards of care.
• Diagnose mental health disorders and conduct assessments once credentialed and approved as a PRRC Psychologist.
• Treat mental health disorders using approved, evidence-based modalities, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy and other approved interventions.
• Meet performance requirements for the quality and timeliness of clinical care.
• Monitor the efficiency, effectiveness, timeliness, and quality of services provided within the PRRC Program.
• Oversee required clinical records.
• Complete other clinical duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program reimbursement of up to $200,000 for eligible applicants, subject to program approval and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• 37–50 days of paid time off annually, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other 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 can be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on qualifying prior work or military service, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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