Staff Psychologist- Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program

Veterans Health Administration • White City, OR

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist works within the Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP), providing evidence-based psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and treatment coordination to resident Veterans experiencing complex mental health, addiction, behavioral, physical, psychosocial, and environmental concerns. The psychologist carries an assigned caseload, uses initial assessments to develop treatment plans and goals collaboratively with Veterans, and guides care toward those goals. The role includes coordination and case management from admission through discharge, with a focus on helping Veterans reconnect with their communities and access appropriate VA, government, and community services.

The position provides diagnostic and evaluation services, including psychological evaluations of emotional and behavioral concerns and suicide assessment, as well as psychological interventions appropriate to the psychologist’s training and expertise. Evidence-based treatment is delivered individually or in groups, with documentation and measurement of treatment effectiveness and Veteran response. The psychologist develops, implements, and documents recovery plans and completes clinical reminders and other required records.

Additional work includes clinical administration, participation in treatment and organizational meetings, professional development, and coverage for absent staff when needed. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. The full performance level is GS-13, and selection may be at GS-11 through GS-13. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to its eligibility and application requirements.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program in a specialty consistent with the assignment; alternatively, qualifying doctoral education and re-specialization, or the specified qualifying doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978.
• Completion of a professional psychology internship meeting the stated accreditation or other qualifying criteria; specified exceptions apply.
• Full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; eligible non-licensed applicants may receive a temporary graduate psychologist appointment under the stated conditions.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For GS-12 selection, at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11 and the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities in psychological assessment and treatment, treatment strategy design, clinical procedures, and applicable research activities.
• For GS-13 selection, at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, and the specified knowledge and abilities in psychological treatment, consultation, behavioral health, and clinical research literature.
• Must meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, drug screening when applicable, physical evaluation, seasonal influenza vaccination, and online onboarding requirements.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must complete application requirements detailed in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Responsibilities

• Carry an assigned caseload and develop treatment plans, mutually establishing treatment goals with Veterans based on initial assessments.
• Provide treatment coordination and case management from admission through discharge, coordinating closely with the treatment team.
• Coordinate discharge planning and help Veterans re-engage with their communities of choice.
• Attend daily group treatment coordination meetings for the assigned caseload.
• Meet individually with assigned Veterans at least once every other week.
• Coordinate community-based services, including information and referrals to VA programs, other government programs, and community agencies.
• Provide diagnostic and evaluation services, including psychological evaluation of emotional and behavioral problems and suicide assessment.
• Provide psychological interventions and evidence-based treatments individually or in group settings, consistent with training and expertise.
• Document evidence-based treatments and measure their effectiveness and Veteran response using clinical judgment and standardized assessment instruments.
• Develop, implement, and document psychotherapeutic recovery plans for assigned patients, including prompt completion of clinical reminders.
• Perform clinical administrative duties, including scheduling Veterans, returning phone calls and secure messages, writing reports, and attending organizational meetings.
• Participate in ongoing professional training and development through workshops, intra-VA assignments, and distance learning.
• Provide clinical coverage for absent staff members as deemed necessary by the supervisor.
• Meet national and local performance measures, including timely health care screenings and completion of clinical reminders.
• Follow electronic health record documentation procedures, timeliness standards, and Veteran checkout procedures, including entering diagnostic and procedure codes.
• Attend and participate in administrative and informational meetings held by the Mental Health Service Line Associate Chief of Staff, RRTP Chief, and facility Director.
• Perform other collateral duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan reimbursement, subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of 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 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• 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.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family income and other eligibility limits.
• 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: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree