Staff Psychologist

Veterans Health Administration • Las Vegas, NV

15h • Onsite

About The Position

This is a direct-care Staff Psychologist position serving primarily inpatient medical rehabilitation, geriatric, palliative care, and hospice populations with complex and chronic disabling diseases. The psychologist provides clinical assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, consultation, education, capacity and competency evaluations, and support for Veterans and their caregivers. The position functions independently as a member of the VASNHS Medical Staff with full clinical privileges and carries responsibility for clinical findings, care decisions, and documentation.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The position is not virtual, and telework is not available. Travel throughout the medical center and community is required, including home and community visits when necessary. Relocation assistance is not authorized.

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, with an eligibility period of one to five years. This is a GS-13 position. The full performance level is GS-13.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program, with a specialty consistent with the assignment; alternatively, a qualifying doctoral degree with an accredited re-specialization program, or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree with a primarily psychological dissertation.
• Successful completion of a professional psychology internship meeting the stated APA, CPA, or qualifying VHA internship criteria; specified alternatives apply to certain applicants, including qualifying board certification or historical doctoral programs.
• A full, current, 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 qualifying professional psychologist experience beyond the basic requirements, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, or qualifying supervised postdoctoral psychology training.
• Knowledge and ability to apply professional psychological treatments to a full range of patient populations.
• Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in professional psychology and behavioral health.
• Knowledge of clinical research literature.
• Current driver's license; approval by occupational health is required to drive a government vehicle when necessary for professional duties.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination and, if selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Must complete a background/security investigation and the online onboarding and application requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with geriatric and Veteran populations.
• Experience performing home visits with a high level of clinical skill and autonomy.
• Experience in palliative care or nursing homes.
• Clinical teaching experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological assessment services and diagnose mental disorders, particularly for medically complex patients or patients with challenging behaviors.
• Educate patients, family members, significant others, medical staff, and nursing staff.
• Provide evidence-based individual, family, and group psychotherapy as clinically indicated.
• Consult with VASNHS professional staff and community providers regarding clinical assessment findings and appropriate treatment plans.
• Develop and document psychological assessments, complete clinical reminders promptly, and comply with CPRS documentation and patient check-out procedures, including entering diagnostic and procedure codes.
• Take professional responsibility for clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation while functioning independently with full clinical privileges.
• Comply with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screenings and clinical reminders.
• Participate in multidisciplinary care-planning and discharge-planning meetings, including Palliative Care, Geriatric Evaluation, and HBPC teams.
• Facilitate patients’ transitions and adjustment to new living situations, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and provide appropriate intervention services.
• Perform capacity and competency assessments regarding patients’ ability to make medical decisions, manage finances, perform specific functions, or live independently.
• Provide psychoeducational and supportive interventions for Veterans’ spouses, family members, caregivers, and others who help keep Veterans at home.
• Travel within the medical center and community to conduct interviews with Veterans, families, community health and welfare agencies, and law enforcement agencies when needed.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility, with approved awards of up to $200,000.
• Competitive salary and 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.
• 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, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy after 60 days for eligible full-time employees with total family income below $144,000, covering up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, subject to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• 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