Psychology Program Manager - PTSD

Veterans Health Administration • San Diego, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Psychology Program Manager directs the activities of staff within the PTSD Clinical Team (PCT), ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and meeting customer and stakeholder needs. The role develops goals and objectives aligned with organizational and multidisciplinary staff objectives; monitors PCT performance using VA databases and performance measures; and interprets and applies relevant MHCL, VASDHS, VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network, TJC, federal, VHA, and professional policies and guidelines. The manager establishes and revises policies and procedures for PCT administrative and clinical operations, plans and schedules work, assigns tasks according to priorities and staff capabilities, and identifies resource needs. The position also oversees training, advises MHCL leadership on operational issues, establishes metrics and review systems, and manages employee performance and personnel matters. Clinical care may be provided in accordance with clinical privileges.

This is a permanent, full-time federal position with a Monday–Friday schedule. The tour is flexible within 0700–1700. Telework and virtual work are not available. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and application review; the program may award up to $200,000 over one to five years. Sign-on and relocation incentives are not authorized.

Applicants must meet VA psychologist education, internship, and licensure requirements and the GS-14 experience and competency requirements. A full, current, unrestricted doctoral-level psychology license and a qualifying doctoral degree and internship are required. The position requires at least three years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-13, and demonstrated supervisory, organizational, clinical-practice, and program-management capabilities.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• A qualifying doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited program, or an eligible respecialization program, or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution with a primarily psychological dissertation.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, subject to the listed VHA, accreditation, and board-certification alternatives.
• 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 and ability to use evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines and guide staff in their use.
• 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 develop and implement solutions.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Pass required pre-employment screening, including applicable urinalysis, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation; comply with seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Complete required onboarding and application documentation and serve the required one- or two-year trial period.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.

Responsibilities

• Direct the activities of PTSD Clinical Team staff and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and customer and stakeholder needs.
• Develop goals and objectives that integrate organizational and multidisciplinary staff objectives.
• Analyze and monitor VA database data and PCT performance measures to assess program functioning and outcomes.
• Research, interpret, analyze, and apply applicable organizational, professional, federal, and VHA policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Establish, assess, and revise policies and procedures for PCT administrative and clinical operations.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate work to promote an even workflow; set priorities and adjust them as needed.
• Assign subordinate work based on priorities, assignment requirements, and staff experience, training, and abilities.
• Review organizational mission, functions, and staffing; identify and request resources such as personnel, overtime, equipment, supplies, and space.
• Work with subordinates to make optimal use of training resources and ensure high-quality training when appropriate.
• Advise MHCL leadership on significant issues and problems related to work accomplishment.
• Establish metrics and analysis systems to ensure actions are timely and reviewed at critical points.
• Accept, amend, or reject work submitted by subordinates.
• Carry out supervisory personnel-management responsibilities, including setting expectations, providing feedback, holding employees accountable, and appraising performance.
• Recommend awards and approve within-grade increases; hear and resolve complaints or refer serious unresolved complaints to higher management.
• Address conduct and performance problems, take minor disciplinary measures, and recommend more serious disciplinary action.
• Provide clinical care as appropriate to clinical privileges.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program reimbursement, subject to eligibility and approval, of up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, consisting of 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 approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment.
• Potential childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility criteria.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a 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