Staff Psychologist-Geropsychologist

Veterans Health Administration • Tuscaloosa, AL

25d • Onsite

About The Position

This direct-care position requires General Core Psychology privileges and primarily serves a geriatric inpatient setting, including nursing home, medical rehabilitation, serious mental illness (SMI), and palliative care populations with complex, chronic, disabling diseases. The role provides psychological assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, behavioral health consultation, and coordinated care across Primary Care, Specialty Care, and Mental Health services.

The psychologist conducts comprehensive evaluations using clinical interviews, behavioral observations, standardized testing, and evidence-based instruments; diagnoses disorders using DSM-5-TR criteria; and develops treatment recommendations. The role also provides capacity and competency assessments, evidence-based individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy, and same-day behavioral health consultation through the Primary Care-Mental Health Integration model. Clinical work includes functional assessments, behavioral medicine interventions, risk assessments, crisis intervention, and safety planning.

The position collaborates with interdisciplinary care teams, documents services in the electronic health record, participates in treatment planning and quality improvement, and may assist in training and supervising psychology trainees and other healthcare professionals. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Recruitment and relocation incentives are authorized; permanent change of station relocation assistance is not authorized. Education Debt Reduction Program participation is available to eligible applicants subject to program requirements and approval.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except where VA policy permits appointment of non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from a qualifying APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program, with a specialty consistent with the assignment; or an eligible doctoral degree and qualifying respecialization; or a qualifying doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, subject to the stated exceptions.
• Full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; eligible unlicensed applicants may receive a supervised temporary appointment for up to two years.
• For GS-12: at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11, plus the stated knowledge, skills, and abilities. No experience beyond basic requirements is required for GS-11.
• For GS-13: at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus the stated knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Pass required pre-employment drug screening, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation; complete onboarding and application documentation requirements.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to male applicants born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• Applicants may qualify for annual leave accrual credit based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.
• Eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility requirements and program approval.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct psychological care in a geriatric inpatient setting serving nursing home, medical rehabilitation, SMI, and palliative care populations.
• Conduct comprehensive psychological evaluations using clinical interviews, behavioral observations, standardized testing, and evidence-based assessment instruments.
• Diagnose mental health disorders using DSM-5-TR criteria and formulate treatment recommendations.
• Perform capacity and competency assessments concerning medical decisions, finances, specific functions, or independent living.
• Deliver evidence-based individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy using brief, solution-focused, and recovery-oriented approaches.
• Provide same-day behavioral health consultation in Primary Care using the Primary Care-Mental Health Integration model.
• Conduct functional assessments for behavioral health concerns commonly treated in Primary Care, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, chronic pain, substance use disorders, health behavior change, and adjustment disorders.
• Develop individualized treatment plans using measurement-based care and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
• Perform suicide and violence risk assessments, crisis intervention, and safety planning consistent with VHA policy.
• Collaborate with Primary Care Providers, nursing staff, social workers, pharmacists, care managers, and specialty mental health providers to coordinate Veteran-centered care.
• Provide behavioral medicine interventions addressing chronic disease management, diabetes, obesity, tobacco cessation, sleep disorders, chronic pain, medication adherence, stress management, and lifestyle modification.
• Consult with Primary Care teams about behavioral health conditions that affect medical treatment outcomes.
• Use population health management principles to improve access to behavioral health services and reduce barriers to care.
• Document clinical services accurately and promptly in the electronic health record in accordance with VHA standards.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning and case conferences.
• Maintain clinical privileges and practice in accordance with APA, VHA, and applicable state licensing board ethical standards.
• Participate in quality improvement, performance improvement, program evaluation, and outcome measurement activities.
• Assist with training and supervision of psychology trainees, interns, fellows, and other healthcare professionals, as appropriate to grade level.
• Provide consultation across Primary Care, Specialty Care, and Mental Health Service Line programs to improve behavioral health integration.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for qualifying higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 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 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.
• Education Debt Reduction Program reimbursement of up to $200,000 for eligible participants, subject to approval and program terms.
• Recruitment incentive/sign-on bonus is authorized.

What This Job Offers

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