Staff Psychologist

Veterans Health Administration • Martinsburg, WV

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist provides comprehensive psychological assessment, diagnostic, and treatment services to Veterans with a broad range of psychopathology, including complex cases requiring advanced psychodiagnostic skills. The psychologist uses contemporary interview and psychometric assessment methods, educates patients and family members about mental disorders and treatment approaches, and provides appropriate evidence-based psychotherapy and psychoeducation. Services may include individual, family, and group interventions.

The psychologist consults with health care providers to coordinate, collaborate on, and integrate care within the Martinsburg VA Medical Center footprint. The role includes developing, implementing, and documenting treatment plans for an assigned caseload and meeting Mental Health Service documentation, risk assessment, access, professional conduct, and clinical workload requirements. The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is available, but this is not a virtual position. The full performance level is GS-13; selection may be at GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13. Eligible employees may qualify for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual requirements and approval.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program, or an eligible alternative degree and respecialization pathway, or a qualifying doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978.
• Completion of an eligible professional psychology internship, subject to the stated alternative pathways and exceptions.
• A full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, or eligibility for a temporary graduate psychologist appointment under the stated supervision and time limits.
• GS-11: no experience beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-12: at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities in psychological assessment and treatment, treatment strategy design, clinical procedures, and applicable research activities.
• GS-13: at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus the specified knowledge and ability to treat the full range of patient populations, provide professional consultation, and understand clinical research literature.
• Ability to complete required background and security investigations, pre-employment testing and physical evaluation, onboarding, and application documentation requirements.
• Compliance with the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program and any applicable trial-period conditions.

Nice To Haves

• Outpatient experience with Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Programs (BHIP).

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive psychological assessment and diagnostic services to Veterans, including patients with complex psychopathology.
• Use contemporary interview and psychometric assessment methods for mental disorders and behavioral health conditions.
• Educate patients and family members about mental disorders and evidence-based treatment approaches.
• Provide appropriate evidence-based psychotherapy and psychoeducation, potentially including individual, family, and group services.
• Consult with health care providers about assessment findings and treatment plans to support coordinated, collaborative, integrated care.
• Develop, implement, and document mental health treatment plans for an assigned caseload.
• Meet documentation requirements, including timely CPRS notes, required templates, clinical reminders, treatment plans, and risk assessment protocols.
• Follow facility and service policies for clinical care, risk assessment and reduction, access and timeliness, professional conduct, and CPRS documentation.
• Meet minimum clinical workload expectations established by Mental Health Service leadership.
• Perform other tasks and duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award amount up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• 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 federal 401(k), with VA contributions up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.
• Telework available.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

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