Staff Psychologist- Primary Care Mental Health Integration

Veterans Health Administration • Visalia, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist serves as a Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) behavioral health consultant in a Collocated Collaborative Care (CCC) role within Primary Care. The position is administratively aligned with the Mental Health Service and is part of the interdisciplinary Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) at the Visalia VA Outpatient Clinic in Visalia, California. The psychologist provides onsite, in-person, and virtual services to Veterans, Primary Care Providers, and allied PACT members.

The role focuses on prevention, early identification, and treatment of mild to moderate behavioral health and health behavior concerns as part of routine primary care. Services generally consist of brief, structured, evidence-based visits of 30 minutes or less, usually limited to one to six visits. A large portion of direct service delivery takes place through in-person warm handoffs to provide same-day access. The psychologist also participates in team-based activities such as huddles, case review, consultation, and education in a fast-paced primary care clinic.

This is an open continuous announcement that remains open until December 15, 2026. The initial application referral cut-off date is October 30, 2026, with later referrals made at regular intervals or as additional vacancies arise. The full performance level is GS-13; applicants may be selected at GS-11 through GS-13. Recruitment and relocation incentives may be offered to highly qualified applicants; permanent change-of-station relocation assistance is not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from a qualifying APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited program, with an eligible specialty consistent with the assignment; alternatively, qualifying doctoral degree and completed re-specialization, or a qualifying doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship consistent with the assignment, subject to the listed 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 be temporarily appointed as graduate psychologists under supervision for up to two years.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For GS-12: at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-13: at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-12 and GS-13, demonstrate the grade-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities described in the announcement, including professional treatment and assessment competencies and, at GS-13, consultation and knowledge of clinical research literature.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation; a TB test and other additional tests may be required.
• Meet background/security investigation requirements, complete onboarding, and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• For applicants using foreign education, provide the required foreign-equivalency documentation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing mental health services within an integrated primary care or medical care team setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide brief, evidence-based mental health interventions to Veterans in primary care.
• Provide education and consultation to Primary Care Providers and allied PACT members.
• Promote prevention, early identification, and treatment of mild to moderate behavioral health and health behavior concerns.
• Deliver brief, focused visits, generally 30 minutes or less and limited to one to six visits.
• Provide onsite, in-person, and virtual mental health services at the Visalia VA Outpatient Clinic.
• Provide same-day access through in-person warm handoffs within PACT.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary PACT in team activities, including huddles, case reviews, consultation, and education.
• Apply professional psychological treatments and assessment methods; design and implement treatment strategies as applicable to the selected grade.
• At GS-12, conduct or support research activities as specified for the role or within an established research team, including research documentation, data acquisition, maintenance, and collaboration.
• At GS-13, provide professional advice and consultation in professional psychology and behavioral health.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program, with potential award up to $200,000 and eligibility period of one to five years, subject to approval and eligibility.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on qualifications or agency needs.
• 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 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.
• Child care subsidy may be available after 60 days for eligible full-time employees and families meeting the stated income and eligibility conditions.
• 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 may be carried into retirement.
• Recruitment incentive may be offered to highly qualified applicants.

What This Job Offers

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