Psychology Program Manager - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP)

Veterans Health Administration • Seattle, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Psychology Program Manager serves as the manager of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), part of the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic within the Mental Health Service at the Seattle Division of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. BHIP provides comprehensive, integrated, recovery-oriented, evidence-based outpatient mental health care designed to reduce the need for Veterans to move between multiple programs. Teams serve Veterans across diagnostic categories, address co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions when possible, and coordinate closely with specialty services such as PTSD, Substance Use Disorder, and Serious Mental Illness programs.

The position combines program management, supervision, and clinical psychology services. The manager develops and oversees team operations, evaluates program effectiveness, leads quality improvement, monitors workload, and supervises employees. Clinical work includes assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, consultation, and treatment planning for Veterans receiving outpatient care.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with compressed or flexible scheduling available. Ad hoc telework is available; this is not a virtual position. The role is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval. The position is full-time and permanent. Recruitment or relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station relocation assistance are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A doctoral degree in psychology from a qualifying APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited program, with a specialty area consistent with the assignment; qualifying alternatives include an approved re-specialization program or certain doctoral degrees awarded between 1951 and 1978.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, subject to the specified alternatives and exceptions.
• A full, current, unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, unless qualifying under the stated grandfathering provision for current VHA employees.
• 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 to 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 develop and implement solutions that support sound program operations.
• Meet VA pre-employment requirements, including applicable drug screening, background/security investigation, medical evaluation, influenza vaccination program requirements, and onboarding documentation.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Nice To Haves

• Three years of managerial experience within mental health.
• Five years of general mental health experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and oversee operational policies and procedures for the treatment team, subject to approval by the affiliated Program Director and/or Service Line Leader.
• Conduct ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects to monitor the effectiveness of clinical operations.
• Monitor and distribute workload reports to team members and ensure provider adherence to workload standards.
• Serve as first-line supervisor and rater for up to 11 employees, providing administrative and clinical supervision and/or consultation as appropriate.
• Provide psychological assessment and diagnostic services for Veterans with a broad range of psychopathology in the clinic setting.
• Provide evidence-based individual, family, and group psychotherapy and psychoeducation.
• Consult with health care providers about assessment findings and treatment plans to support coordinated, collaborative, and integrated care.
• Develop, implement, and document mental health treatment plans for an assigned patient caseload.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility criteria.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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