Staff Psychologist - Geriatrics and Extended Care

Veterans Health Administration • Indianapolis, IN

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist provides psychological care to Veterans enrolled in Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. Working with the HBPC team and requesting providers, the psychologist evaluates clinical concerns using a biopsychosocial model and connects Veterans with resources that support recovery and management of their concerns. The role provides assessment, diagnosis, evidence-based psychotherapy, referral, and related services to Veterans in their homes, and may also serve eligible Veterans’ social supports and families. Services may be delivered through telehealth when clinically indicated.

The psychologist is a fully integrated member of the interdisciplinary HBPC team, participates in team meetings and patient dispositions, and consults with medical center staff and trainees on patient care and treatment expectations. The incumbent operates independently while consulting with peers and supervisors when warranted. The role may also involve program evaluation or research activities.

This is a GS-13 position requiring a doctoral degree in psychology, an appropriate internship, and a current unrestricted doctoral-level license. The work includes regular travel to Veterans’ homes and operation of a government-owned or leased vehicle. The position may require variable tours, including some early morning or evening hours, to meet Veterans’ needs.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Doctoral degree in psychology meeting the stated APA, PCSAS, or CPA accreditation or qualifying alternative requirements.
• Successful completion of an eligible professional psychology internship, or an applicable stated alternative.
• Full, current, unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, including at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply professional psychological treatments across the full range of patient populations.
• Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in professional psychology and behavioral health.
• Knowledge of clinical research literature.
• Ability to diagnose and treat mental disorders and conduct psychological and/or neuropsychological assessments.
• Ability to provide care for the mental health, social, and medical needs of people receiving Home-Based Primary Care.
• Ability to provide mental health services using telehealth technologies.
• Ability to travel regularly to Veterans’ homes, operate a vehicle for extended periods in varied conditions, navigate varied home environments, and perform the described driving, walking, standing, sitting, bending, pulling, carrying, and lifting tasks.
• Meet the stated pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, drug screening when applicable, physical examination, seasonal influenza vaccination, and onboarding requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing services to patients or caregivers in their homes.
• Experience with the geriatric population.
• Experience working with Veterans experiencing anxiety, PTSD, or depression alongside medical comorbidities.
• Experience working with an interdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate Veterans’ presenting clinical concerns and problems using a biopsychosocial model, in collaboration with the HBPC team and requesting providers.
• Provide psychological and psychodiagnostic services, including assessment and diagnosis of mental disorders and psychological or neuropsychological assessment.
• Use appropriate evidence-based psychotherapeutic techniques and treatments to provide quality care to Veterans in their homes.
• Provide individual mental health services, referrals, diagnostic assessments, and treatment planning; document services in the electronic health record.
• Provide services through tele-mental health or similar technologies when clinically indicated.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and patient dispositions as a fully integrated member of the HBPC team.
• Consult with HBPC and other medical center staff on patient care, identification, diagnosis, treatment, and family service needs.
• Consult with staff and trainees regarding patients’ psychological characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations.
• Provide adjunctive interventions for medical disorders and support Veterans’ families and social supports as appropriate.
• Participate in program evaluation and/or research activities as applicable.
• Travel to Veterans’ homes and operate a government-owned or leased vehicle to carry out assigned duties.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) student loan reimbursement, subject to eligibility and approval, with an award amount up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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