Staff Psychologist - Outpatient Mental Health (OPMH)

Veterans Health Administration • Evansville, IN

3h • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist is assigned to the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic (OPMH) within the Behavioral Medicine Service (BMS) at the Evansville Health Care Center and surrounding VA locations. The psychologist provides clinical assessment and treatment to Veterans, including individual, group, family, and couples psychotherapy, crisis intervention, advocacy, and coordination with VA and community service providers. The role includes completing comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and treatment plans using measurement-based care, identifying diagnoses and treatment-related needs, and supporting Veterans in achieving the highest practicable level of independence.

The psychologist provides evidence-based psychotherapy when clinically appropriate and beneficial, and must be willing to receive training in and implement evidence-based psychotherapies. The position also involves consulting with treatment teams and staff about psychological testing and the effects of mental health, medical, and psychosocial conditions on care planning, treatment compliance, and discharge planning. Psychological or exempt testing is conducted when clinically appropriate to answer an assessment question and within the clinician’s privileges or scope of practice.

At least 80% of the time allotted to direct care in the clinician’s weekly profile is devoted to direct Veteran care, including therapy, groups, family or couples therapy, and clinical phone calls. When clinically privileged and assigned, the psychologist completes Compensation and Pension examinations according to appropriate professional standards. The role also includes building therapeutic relationships, facilitating discharge planning with Veterans, families, and interdisciplinary teams, and educating Veterans and families about community resources, VA benefits, specialty programs, and advance directives.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval; an award may be up to $200,000 over one to five years. Recruitment/relocation incentives are authorized, while permanent change-of-station relocation assistance is not authorized.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), with a specialty area consistent with the assignment.
• Successful completion of a professional psychology internship training program accredited by APA, subject to the stated VHA internship exceptions.
• Full, current, and unrestricted doctorate-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a limited licensure waiver may be available under the stated supervision conditions.
• At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, including at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level, unless qualifying under the stated grandfathering provision.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to apply professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.
• Ability to provide professional advice and consultation related to professional psychology and behavioral health.
• Knowledge of clinical research literature.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, submit to urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Meet background and security investigation requirements and complete the online onboarding process and application requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period and receive written certification for continued employment after the trial period.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience conducting a variety of psychological testing with a diverse population group.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical assessment and treatment, including individual, group, family, and couples psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and advocacy.
• Coordinate connections to VA and community service providers and agencies as needed by Veterans.
• Complete thorough biopsychosocial assessments and treatment plans using measurement-based care, including information needed to determine diagnoses and treatment-related conclusions.
• Use assessments to help Veterans make maximum use of treatment and attain the highest level of independence that is possible and practicable.
• Provide evidence-based psychotherapy as individual, group, or family interventions when clinically indicated, appropriate, and therapeutically beneficial.
• Receive training in and implement evidence-based psychotherapies.
• Consult with treatment teams and staff about psychological testing and the effects of mental health, medical, and psychosocial problems on health care planning, treatment compliance, and discharge planning.
• Perform psychological or exempt testing when clinically appropriate to a treatment question and within privileges or scope of practice.
• Provide direct Veteran care for at least 80% of the time allotted to direct care in the clinician’s weekly profile, including therapy, groups, family or couples therapy, and direct clinical phone calls.
• Complete Compensation and Pension examinations when clinically privileged and assigned, following clinically appropriate standards.
• Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and/or their families.
• Facilitate timely discharge planning in collaboration with Veterans, families, and interdisciplinary treatment team members.
• Educate and consult with Veterans and families about community resources, VA benefits, specialty programs, advance directives, and processes for accessing or coordinating VA, government, and community services.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with an approved award of up to $200,000 over one to five years for eligible participants.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, consisting of 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment for eligible full-time employees and children, 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.
• Recruitment/relocation incentive (sign-on bonus) is authorized.

What This Job Offers

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