Staff Psychologist - Substance Use Disorder Provider

Veterans Health Administration • Lafayette, LA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist position at the Alexandria VA Health Care System provides direct patient care, training, and program evaluation. The psychologist communicates with mental health and medical staff and uses evidence-based assessment and interventions to address diverse medical, mental health, and complex patient needs. The position may be filled at GS-11 through GS-13, with GS-11 identified as the full performance level.

The psychologist diagnoses mental disorders and provides psychodiagnostic services and assessments for clinical or administrative purposes as directed by the Chief of Psychology or a designated Supervisory Psychologist. The role delivers evidence-based treatment for mental disorders and adjunctive interventions for medical disorders, including individual, group, and family or couples psychotherapy. It also involves clinical documentation, interdisciplinary consultation and treatment planning, program evaluation or research, and administrative and committee responsibilities. Additional duties may include clinical supervision, participation in psychology training programs, and providing leadership guidance and consultation to assigned unit staff.

The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., subject to change based on facility needs. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Work is performed in an office or clinic setting and may involve handling several tasks at once in stressful situations. The position may require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing, as well as wearing personal protective equipment and undergoing annual tuberculosis screening or testing.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except where non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program, with a specialty consistent with the assignment; alternatively, a qualifying doctoral degree and completed re-specialization program, or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution with a primarily psychological dissertation.
• Successful completion of a professional psychology internship meeting the stated accreditation or qualifying alternative criteria.
• Full, current, unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated temporary graduate psychologist exception.
• 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 in psychological assessment and treatment, treatment strategy design and implementation, clinical procedures, and research tasks as applicable.
• For GS-13: at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus the specified knowledge and abilities in treatment across patient populations, professional consultation, and clinical research literature.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, submit to urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Register with Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete required background/security investigation and online onboarding, provide acceptable identification, participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program, and complete application requirements listed in the announcement.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose mental disorders and provide a full range of psychodiagnostic services and psychological assessments for clinical or administrative purposes, as directed by the Chief of Psychology or designated Supervisory Psychologist.
• Treat mental disorders using evidence-based modalities and provide adjunctive interventions for medical disorders.
• Provide individual, group, and family or couples psychotherapy.
• Follow CPRS documentation procedures, including timeliness standards and patient checkout procedures such as entering diagnostic and procedure codes.
• Communicate and collaborate with other disciplines, including nursing and medicine, to facilitate treatment planning and implementation.
• Participate in team meetings and treatment-planning conferences as appropriate.
• Consult with medical center staff on patient-care issues.
• Participate in program evaluation and/or research activities.
• Perform administrative duties, including attending organizational meetings.
• As assigned, provide clinical supervision to disciplines and training levels, including trainees seeking psychology licensure, and participate in the Psychology Training Program and Training Committee.
• Provide leadership guidance and consultation to staff of assigned units; consult with medical center staff and trainees on patients’ psychological characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations.
• Complete clinical records and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system in a timely manner.
• Serve on Psychology or Health Care System committees and attend required Psychology Service, Medical Staff, and other meetings.
• Represent the Medical Center or Healthcare System at professional or community group events and committees, as applicable.
• Accept additional and special assignments needed to meet program goals or customer needs.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Eligible selected applicants may request credit for prior work or military service toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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