Staff Psychologist (BHIP)

Veterans Health Administration • Memphis, TN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist provides psychological services at the VA Medical Center at Memphis, functioning independently as a member of the Medical Staff with full clinical privileges. The psychologist is responsible for clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation, and may consult with peers and supervisors as appropriate. The role is identified as the full-performance level for staff psychologists, at GS-13, and may be assigned within VHA programs and settings. This vacancy is associated with BHIP and is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to VHA eligibility requirements and approval. EDRP may reimburse up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years. Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program, with a specialty consistent with the assignment; alternatively, an eligible doctoral degree with qualifying accredited respecialization, or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree with a primarily psychological dissertation.
• Successful completion of a professional psychology internship meeting the stated accreditation or VHA program requirements, or qualifying board certification when the internship was not accredited; specific alternatives apply to certain pre-1979 programs and qualifying doctoral degrees.
• Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• At least two additional years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, obtained through psychologist employment or supervised postdoctoral psychology training and demonstrating active professional practice and a full, current, unrestricted license.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.
• Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in professional psychology and behavioral health.
• Knowledge of clinical research literature.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, onboarding, required identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as required.
• Complete the EDRP application within four months of appointment to be considered for the program; eligibility and award require VHA approval.

Nice To Haves

• Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological assessment services and diagnose mental disorders, particularly for complex or unusually difficult patients.
• Educate patients, family members, and significant others.
• Provide evidence-based individual, family, and group psychotherapy.
• Consult with VA Medical Center at Memphis professional staff and community providers about clinical assessment findings and appropriate treatment plans.
• Develop, implement, and document psychotherapeutic treatment plans for an assigned caseload, including timely completion of clinical reminders.
• Function independently as a member of the VA Medical Center at Memphis Medical Staff with full clinical privileges, and take professional responsibility for clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation.
• Assist the Mental Health Clinic supervisor or coordinator with designing, developing, and implementing clinical programs for a team of treatment providers.
• Follow treatment-team operational policies and procedures established by the Chief of Mental Health Service.
• Assist the Mental Health supervisor or coordinator with ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality-improvement projects.
• Coordinate services by facilitating liaisons with other health care programs.
• Meet national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders.
• Follow CPRS documentation procedures and timeliness standards, including proper patient checkout procedures such as entering diagnostic and procedure codes.
• Attend and participate in administrative and informational meetings held by the Service Line Director or designee and facility Director.
• Attend regular Psychology Service staff and Medical Staff meetings and comply with Psychology Service peer-review procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), potentially reimbursing up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and program approval.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position status and eligibility.
• Selected applicants may qualify for annual-leave accrual credit based on prior federal work 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