Psychology Program Manager

Veterans Health Administration • Martinez, CA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Psychology Program Manager serves as the BHIP Supervisor, providing administrative coordination, clinical leadership and supervision, and program development and implementation for a multidisciplinary team in a large, complex outpatient region. The role supports effective and efficient mental health services for Veteran patients and their families in accordance with the healthcare system’s mission. The position oversees team functioning and care delivery, develops psychotherapy initiatives, supports compliance with Joint Commission requirements, and coordinates with program and site leadership on team objectives and operational needs.

The manager supervises staff across BHIP and telehealth disciplines, including psychologists, social workers, licensed counselors, nurses, and psychiatrists. Responsibilities include establishing performance expectations, evaluating staff, identifying training needs, advising employees, addressing complaints and grievances, and supporting recruitment and selection. The position also monitors service quality, performance measures, workload, patient satisfaction, and related outpatient mental health projects.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the tour of duty may change to meet agency needs. Ad hoc telework is available under agency policy, but this is not a virtual position. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and program approval; awards may be up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program, with a specialty consistent with the assignment; or an eligible doctoral degree with qualifying respecialization; or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree with a primarily psychological dissertation.
• Completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, subject to the listed accreditation, VHA program, board certification, or historical-degree exceptions.
• Full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level psychology license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; eligible non-licensed applicants may receive a temporary graduate psychologist appointment under stated conditions.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least three years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-13.
• 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 work effectively with individuals and groups representing diverse 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 that support sound program operations.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Must complete required background/security investigation and onboarding requirements; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis.
• Must meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to agency certification for continued employment.
• Applicants relying on education to qualify must submit transcripts; foreign education requires the specified equivalency documentation.

Nice To Haves

• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Current VHA employees in the occupation may qualify under the applicable grandfathering provision.
• Applicants with an internship not accredited by APA or CPA may be considered eligible if currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty consistent with the assignment.

Responsibilities

• Review Community Care psychotherapy and psychological service consults and liaise with community treatment partners.
• Oversee team functioning and mental health service delivery within the team.
• Lead development of psychotherapy initiatives.
• Oversee implementation of Joint Commission requirements, particularly treatment planning and measurement-based care.
• Develop and maintain high-quality mental health team functioning and processes while meeting Environment of Care and programmatic requirements.
• Coordinate with the site Clinical Operations Manager and BHIP Program Manager to align team objectives with program needs.
• Foster a cohesive interdisciplinary team environment.
• Oversee quality control and performance measures in collaboration with the VA NCHCS BHIP Program Manager.
• Assist the BHIP Program Manager with oversight of mental health performance measures, SAIL, workload, VERA capture, Veteran patient satisfaction, and quality assurance.
• Use the service recovery model with Veteran patients who express dissatisfaction or concerns, as requested, and consult with mental health clinicians on complex cases.
• Provide overarching supervision, including annual performance ratings, for BHIP and telehealth psychologists, social workers, licensed counselors, nurses, and psychiatrists.
• Communicate guidelines and performance expectations through the employee performance management system.
• Develop functional statements and performance standards; observe, demonstrate, and critique work performance; provide feedback and evaluate employees.
• Identify employee training needs and arrange training as appropriate.
• Work to resolve informal complaints and grievances; develop work improvement plans and recommend personnel actions as necessary.
• Advise and counsel staff on work and administrative matters and invoke disciplinary measures as appropriate to delegated authority.
• Review and approve or disapprove leave requests.
• Assist with staff recruitment, conduct interviews, and select candidates for vacant positions across disciplines.
• Interpret trends and patterns and apply guidelines and recommendations to improve general outpatient mental health services.
• Review, monitor, analyze, plan, and assess outpatient mental health services and related projects and annual deliverables.

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.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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