Psychology - Program Manager

Veterans Health Administration • Eugene, OR

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Psychology Program Manager provides direction for Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) teams comprising social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, and other mental health professionals. The role develops program goals, establishes and refines workflows, and ensures services meet clinical expectations, accreditation requirements, and national initiatives. It requires advanced mental health knowledge, leadership, and experience managing complex behavioral health programs. The manager works with considerable independence and advises Mental Health leadership on program operations, compliance, and future planning; guides staff through operational barriers; maintains communication across interdisciplinary teams; reviews program data; coordinates improvements; and keeps procedures current as staffing, demand, or policy changes.

Approximately half of the position is clinical. The incumbent provides Veterans with direct assessment, treatment, and care coordination; delivers evidence-based interventions within scope of practice; conducts comprehensive psychosocial assessments; and develops individualized treatment plans with interdisciplinary colleagues. Clinical work includes maintaining a caseload appropriate for a GS-14 advanced psychologist, providing individual and group interventions, and supporting continuity of care for Veterans with complex mental health needs. The manager participates in case consultations, provides clinical guidance as appropriate, maintains timely and accurate documentation in accordance with VA standards, and aligns care with BHIP practice models and program access needs. The role also responds to urgent clinical situations, supports coverage when staffing changes occur, and participates in team-based care activities.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with occasional holiday work as needed. Telework and virtual work are not available. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and approval; the program may provide up to $200,000 in student loan repayment. Recruitment and relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station assistance are not authorized.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in psychology from an eligible APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited program in a specialty consistent with the assignment, or another qualifying doctoral-degree/re-specialization pathway described in the announcement.
• Successful completion of an eligible professional psychology internship, or a qualifying alternative described in the announcement.
• Full, current, unrestricted doctoral-level psychology license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• At least three years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to the GS-13 grade level.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• 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 using them.
• Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups.
• Skill in managing and directing others' work to achieve program goals and objectives.
• Ability to translate management goals and objectives into coordinated, 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, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Must meet VA pre-employment, background/security, identification, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements; applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment drug screening.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with Veterans in an inpatient psychiatric setting.
• Leadership or supervisory experience (described as required in the preferred-experience section).
• Familiarity with psychiatric emergency services.

Responsibilities

• Provide direction to BHIP interdisciplinary teams.
• Develop program goals and establish and refine workflows.
• Ensure services meet clinical expectations, accreditation requirements, national initiatives, and BHIP practice models.
• Advise Mental Health leadership on program operations, compliance, and future planning.
• Guide staff in resolving operational barriers and maintain communication across interdisciplinary team members.
• Review program data, coordinate improvements, and keep procedures current as staffing, demand, and policy change.
• Provide direct assessment, treatment, and care coordination services to Veterans for approximately half of the work time.
• Deliver evidence-based interventions within scope of practice, conduct psychosocial assessments, and develop individualized treatment plans with interdisciplinary colleagues.
• Manage an appropriate clinical caseload and provide individual and group interventions for Veterans with complex mental health needs.
• Participate in case consultations and provide clinical guidance as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with VA standards.
• Respond to urgent clinical situations, support coverage needs when staffing changes occur, and participate in team-based care activities.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan reimbursement, subject to individual eligibility and approval, of up to $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, including 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 for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility 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.

What This Job Offers

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