Staff Psychologist- Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program

Veterans Health Administration • White City, OR

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist works within the Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP), providing evidence-based psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and treatment coordination for resident Veterans experiencing complex mental health, addiction, behavioral, physical, psychosocial, and environmental challenges. The psychologist carries an assigned caseload, uses initial assessments to develop treatment goals collaboratively with Veterans, and guides care toward those goals. The role includes case management from admission through discharge, discharge planning, and coordination with the treatment team and community-based services to support Veterans’ transition back to their communities.

The position provides diagnostic and evaluation services, psychological interventions, and evidence-based individual and group treatments. It also includes clinical documentation and administrative duties, professional development, coverage for absent staff when needed, and participation in service-line and facility meetings. The full performance level is GS-13; selection may be made at GS-11 through GS-13. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. Recruitment or relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station assistance are not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and application review; awards may be up to $200,000 for one to five years.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program in an eligible specialty area, or an eligible alternative doctoral degree and qualifying re-specialization, or an eligible 1951–1978 doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution with a primarily psychological dissertation.
• Completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, subject to the stated accreditation and alternative eligibility provisions.
• Full, current, unrestricted doctoral-level psychology license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; eligible non-licensed applicants may receive a temporary graduate psychologist appointment under specified conditions.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Ability to satisfy applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, drug screening where applicable, physical evaluation, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• For GS-12: at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities in psychological treatments and assessment, treatment strategy design and implementation, adoption of clinical procedures, and research activities/tasks as applicable to the position.
• For GS-13: at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus knowledge and ability to apply professional psychological treatments across patient populations, provide professional advice and consultation in psychology and behavioral health, and understand clinical research literature.
• Meet the education and qualification requirements for the grade selected; the full performance level is GS-13 and the vacancy may be filled at GS-11 through GS-13.

Responsibilities

• Carry an assigned caseload and develop treatment plans, using initial assessments to establish treatment goals collaboratively with Veterans.
• Coordinate treatment and discharge planning, helping Veterans re-engage in their community of choice after discharge.
• Provide ongoing case management from admission through discharge in close coordination with the treatment team.
• Participate in daily group treatment coordination meetings for the assigned caseload.
• Meet individually with Veterans on the assigned caseload at least once every other week.
• Coordinate community-based services, including information and referrals to VA programs, other government programs, and community agencies.
• Provide diagnostic and evaluation services, including general psychological evaluation of emotional and behavioral problems and suicide assessment.
• Provide psychological interventions consistent with training and expertise, with emphasis on evidence-based treatments.
• Deliver evidence-based treatment individually or in groups, documenting and measuring effectiveness and Veteran response using clinical judgment and standardized assessment instruments.
• Develop, implement, and document psychotherapeutic recovery plans for assigned patients, including prompt completion of clinical reminders.
• Perform clinical administrative duties, including scheduling Veterans, returning phone calls and secure messages, writing reports, and attending organizational meetings.
• Participate in ongoing professional training and experiences, including workshops, intra-VA assignments, and distance learning.
• Provide clinical coverage for absent staff members when deemed necessary by the supervisor.
• Meet national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders.
• Follow electronic health record documentation procedures and timeliness standards, including proper Veteran check-out procedures and entry of diagnostic and procedure codes.
• Attend and participate in administrative and informational meetings held by the Mental Health Service Line Associate Chief of Staff, RRTP Chief, and facility Director.
• Perform other collateral duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• 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 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 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 for eligible full-time employees with total family income below $144,000, covering up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, subject to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• 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 may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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