Psychology Program Manager

Veterans Health Administration • Clarksburg, WV

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The staff Psychology Program Manager is assigned to the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and manages the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP), which includes tracks for combat-related PTSD, substance abuse, and psychosocial/mental health. The role has broad responsibility for operating and managing a specialized, complex professional program that significantly affects care provided to Veterans. The program manager exercises independent judgment and latitude over program decisions and resources, and is responsible for day-to-day program activities, strategic planning, and developing and implementing short- and long-term goals consistent with the program’s strategic plan. Responsibilities may include staff supervision, but supervision is not required.

The position oversees administrative and programmatic resources, develops and implements programs, policies, and procedures to meet program goals and VHA and accreditation requirements, monitors outcomes through data-driven quality assurance, and implements improvements based on analysis. The manager is responsible for clinical coordination, staff training, program evaluation, and maintaining readiness for accreditation and survey reviews. Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework may be authorized, but this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program accredited by the APA, PCSAS, or CPA when completed; the specialty area must be consistent with the assignment.
• 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 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 appropriately, 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.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under applicable VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• If the completed internship was not accredited at the time of completion, current board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area consistent with the assignment, with compliance with the certifying body’s continuing education requirements.
• Successful completion of required pre-employment screening, including drug testing for selected applicants in testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation.
• Seasonal influenza vaccination is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Completion of application and onboarding requirements; males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• May be required to serve a two-year trial period.

Responsibilities

• Provide input to physicians regarding patients’ treatment needs.
• Interview patients and develop psychosocial assessments of Veterans.
• Evaluate information from sources other than the patient, with the patient’s consent, to validate patient reports.
• Create a psychosocial database for each assigned patient.
• Formulate mutually agreed-upon treatment plans.
• Collaborate with other service providers to reassess Veterans’ needs.
• Make rapid assessments and develop crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs.
• Coordinate non-institutional and institutional services.
• Review other providers’ progress notes to determine each Veteran’s strengths and limitations.
• Participate in program evaluation, teaching, training, and research activities.
• Manage the day-to-day clinical functioning of a multidisciplinary team.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with community-based and VA-based treatment facilities.
• Prepare routine and special reports.
• Train staff, or arrange staff training, in evidence-based treatments and best practices.
• Conduct regular chart reviews.
• Maintain continuous survey readiness for SOARS, CARF, Joint Commission, and other survey or accrediting organizations.
• Consult with internal and external customers regarding appropriate VA and community-based homeless resources.
• Develop working relationships and agreements with organizations serving the same patient population.
• Maintain a network of referral resources.
• Enter all Veteran and family contacts in the electronic record.
• Attend appropriate staff meetings, including interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, psychologist staff meetings, and relevant committees.
• Manage program activities, strategic planning, and short- and long-term goals and objectives.
• Oversee and deploy administrative and programmatic resources in support of program needs.
• Develop and implement programs, policies, and procedures that meet program goals, VHA policy, and external accreditation requirements.
• Monitor outcomes through data-driven quality assurance and implement improvements based on data analysis.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student-loan reimbursement, subject to eligibility and program approval, up to $200,000 over a one-to-five-year eligibility period.
• Competitive salary with regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, 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, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Child care subsidy may be available to eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income, child eligibility, and program 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 may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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