Psychologist

Veterans Health Administration • Hickory, NC

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Psychologist performs professional activities involving the description of human behavior, identification of factors that control behavior, and prediction or modification of behavior. The position conducts psychological assessments, evaluations, and treatment for patients experiencing challenges related to personality, emotional adjustment, and mental illness. Care is tailored to patients’ ages and developmental levels. The role promotes, supervises, or directly provides individual and group psychotherapy and manages challenging clinical cases requiring advanced skill.

The Psychologist performs comprehensive assessments using standardized instruments, clinical interviews, behavioral observations, and collateral information to evaluate cognitive functioning, personality structure, emotional status, and behavioral patterns. The position prepares integrated written reports, communicates findings to interdisciplinary treatment teams, and provides expert consultation on differential diagnosis of functional and organic conditions.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual. The full performance level is GS-12; the vacancy may be filled at GS-13. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and approval. Recruitment/relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station assistance are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program in a specialty area consistent with the assignment; alternatively, an eligible doctoral degree with a qualifying accredited re-specialization program, or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution with a primarily psychological dissertation.
• Successful completion of a professional psychology internship that meets the stated accreditation and assignment-consistency requirements, or an applicable alternative described in the announcement.
• Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Applicants whose internship was not accredited at the time of completion must hold current American Board of Professional Psychology certification in a specialty area consistent with the assignment.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Registration with Selective Service is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination and participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete the required application and onboarding process, provide acceptable identification, and undergo a background/security investigation.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Responsibilities

• Describe human behavior, determine factors controlling behavior, and predict and/or modify behavior.
• Conduct psychological assessments, evaluations, and treatment for patients with personality, emotional adjustment, and mental illness challenges.
• Perform comprehensive psychological assessments using standardized instruments, clinical interviews, behavioral observations, and collateral information.
• Evaluate cognitive functioning, personality structure, emotional status, and behavioral patterns.
• Prepare integrated written reports and communicate findings to interdisciplinary treatment teams.
• Provide expert consultation regarding differential diagnosis of functional and organic conditions.
• Deliver care appropriate to patients’ age and developmental level.
• Promote, supervise, or directly provide individual and group psychotherapy.
• Manage challenging clinical cases requiring advanced skill.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with approval and eligibility determining award amount and period; the announced maximum award is $200,000.
• 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.
• Potential 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.
• Potential childcare subsidy after 60 days for eligible full-time employees with total family income below $144,000, covering up to 25% of eligible costs, subject to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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