Staff Psychologist - PCMHI

Veterans Health Administration • Chula Vista, CA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist will be embedded within the Chula Vista VA Primary Care Clinic and work as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team with Primary Care, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Social Work staff. The position primarily provides brief individual and group psychotherapy for Veterans whose symptoms do not require specialty mental health care, and receives warm hand-offs from Primary Care teams to assess Veterans’ mental health needs and develop treatment plans.

The psychologist performs risk assessments and crisis interventions and provides evidence-based psychological interventions within their competencies and the needs of the Mental Health Care Line. Services may include individual, family, and group psychotherapy. The psychologist develops, implements, and documents treatment plans, completes clinical reminders and other required documentation promptly, and follows operational policies and procedures for the treatment team, Impact Unit, and Mental Health Care Line.

The role also contributes to operational planning by working with section chiefs, team coordinators, and Mental Health Care Line leadership to identify operational questions and collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data. The psychologist follows CPRS documentation procedures, participates in administrative and informational meetings, provides consultation on empirically validated treatments, consults with multidisciplinary clinical colleagues, and delivers workshops and seminars on validated psychological treatments and other areas of expertise.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, with a flexible tour between 0700 and 1700. Telework is available, but this is not a virtual position. The full performance level is GS-13; selection may be at GS-11 through GS-13. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level psychology license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; an eligible non-licensed applicant may qualify for a temporary graduate psychologist appointment under supervision for up to two years.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited program in a specialty consistent with the assignment, or an eligible doctoral degree and qualifying respecialization, or an eligible 1951–1978 doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution with a primarily psychological dissertation.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, subject to the listed exceptions.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• GS-12: At least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11, plus demonstrated knowledge and abilities in psychological treatments or assessments, treatment strategy design and implementation, and incorporating new clinical procedures. Additional research-related KSAs apply to staff psychologists with specified research duties.
• GS-13: At least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus demonstrated ability to apply professional psychological treatments across patient populations, provide professional advice and consultation in psychology and behavioral health, and knowledge of clinical research literature.
• Pass required pre-employment screening and physical evaluation, including drug testing for testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Complete required application and onboarding requirements and serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• GS-11 applicants have no experience requirement beyond the basic requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide brief individual and group psychotherapy to Veterans whose symptoms do not require specialty mental health care.
• Receive warm hand-offs from Primary Care teams and assess Veterans’ mental health needs to develop treatment plans.
• Perform risk assessments and crisis interventions.
• Provide evidence-based psychological interventions, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy, consistent with professional competencies and Mental Health Care Line needs.
• Develop, implement, and document psychotherapeutic treatment plans, including completing clinical reminders and other required documentation promptly.
• Follow operational policies and procedures for the treatment team, Impact Unit, and Mental Health Care Line.
• Work with section chiefs, team coordinators, and Mental Health Care Line leadership to identify operational questions and develop plans to address them using quantitative and qualitative data.
• Comply with CPRS documentation procedures, including timeliness standards, patient checkout procedures, diagnostic and procedure codes, and return-to-clinic orders.
• Attend and participate in administrative and informational meetings held by the Impact Unit, Psychology Service, Mental Health Care Line, and facility.
• Provide consultation on empirically validated treatments as requested.
• Consult with psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, internists, other physicians, mental health pharmacists, psychology staff, and fellows.
• Provide workshops and seminars on empirically validated psychological treatments and other areas of expertise.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility, subject to individual requirements and approval, with awards up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment.
• Potential childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment.
• Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs may be carried into retirement.
• Telework available.

What This Job Offers

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