Staff Psychologist (BHIP)
About The Position
The Staff Psychologist works primarily in an outpatient general mental health setting as part of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP). The psychologist provides psychodiagnostic assessments, individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and other psychological services. The position is part of a multidisciplinary team that includes psychiatrists, psychologists, nurse practitioners, social workers, licensed mental health professionals, nurses, psychology technicians, and other disciplines. The psychologist provides psychological evaluations and therapeutic interventions for assigned medical center units and programs, within the scope of clinical privileges. Services may include individual psychotherapy or counseling, vocational counseling, group therapy, family therapy or counseling, crisis intervention, psychometric testing and interpretation, program evaluation, psychological research, and consultation. The role also includes consulting with medical center staff and trainees about patients’ psychological characteristics and treatment expectations, and participating in Medical Center, Healthcare System, VISN, or national VA committees and task forces. The work schedule is 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. The role is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and program approval; the potential award is up to $200,000 over one to five years. Recruitment or relocation incentives and permanent change of station assistance are not authorized.
Requirements
- U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English.
- A full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; qualifying non-licensed applicants may be temporarily appointed as graduate psychologists under the stated conditions and supervision requirements.
- A qualifying doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited program, or an alternative qualifying doctoral degree and re-specialization pathway, or a qualifying doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978.
- Successful completion of an internship meeting the stated accreditation, VHA, board-certification, or grandfathering criteria.
- For GS-12: at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11 and demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities specified in the announcement.
- For GS-13: at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, and demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities specified in the announcement.
- Meet applicable background/security, onboarding, identification, drug-testing, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
- For federal education qualification, degrees must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.
Responsibilities
- Provide psychodiagnostic assessments and a full range of psychological and psychotherapy services using appropriate treatment techniques.
- Perform psychological evaluations for patients on assigned units.
- Provide therapeutic interventions for assigned medical center units and programs, including individual psychotherapy or counseling, vocational counseling, group therapy, family therapy or counseling, and crisis intervention.
- Administer and interpret objective and projective psychometric tests.
- Conduct program evaluation and psychological research, and provide consultation.
- Consult with medical center staff and trainees regarding patients’ psychological characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations.
- Serve on Medical Center, Healthcare System, VISN, and/or national VA committees or task forces.
- Represent psychology on decision-making committees at the Medical Center or Healthcare System, as assigned.
Benefits
- Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with award amount up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years, subject to eligibility and approval.
- Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
- 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and paid Federal holidays.
- Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
- Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility requirements.
- Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
- Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.
- Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
