Staff Psychologist - Substance Use Disorders

Veterans Health Administration • San Diego, CA

13h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist works in the Addictions clinical section, primarily assessing and providing individual and group psychotherapy to Veterans with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions such as PTSD and depression. The role includes diagnosing mental disorders, conducting risk assessments and crisis interventions, administering psychological and/or neuropsychological assessments, and providing evidence-based interventions within the psychologist’s competencies and the needs of the Mental Health Care Line. Treatment may include individual, family, and group psychotherapy.

The psychologist develops, implements, and documents treatment plans for assigned patients and completes required clinical reminders and documentation promptly. The position follows operational and documentation policies for the treatment team, Impact Unit, Mental Health Care Line, and facility. It also involves identifying operational questions with clinical leadership, developing plans to address them, and collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.

The psychologist attends administrative and informational meetings, provides consultation on empirically validated treatments, and collaborates with psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, psychology staff, and fellows. The role may also include providing workshops and seminars on evidence-based psychological treatments and other areas of expertise. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to its eligibility and application requirements. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, with a flexible tour between 0700 and 1700. Telework is available; this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Full, current, unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a qualifying temporary graduate psychologist appointment may be possible for eligible non-licensed applicants under supervision.
• Doctoral degree in psychology meeting the stated APA, PCSAS, or CPA accreditation requirements, or an eligible doctoral degree and qualifying respecialization, or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree with a primarily psychological dissertation.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, subject to the listed exceptions.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For GS-12: at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11 and the ability to apply psychological treatments or assessment methods, design and implement treatment strategies, incorporate new clinical procedures, and perform applicable research tasks.
• For GS-13: at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, and the ability to apply treatments across patient populations, provide professional advice and consultation, and understand clinical research literature.
• Complete required background/security investigation, pre-employment physical examination, drug testing if selected for a testing-designated position, onboarding, and application documentation requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Assess Veterans with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.
• Provide individual and group psychotherapy and other evidence-based psychological interventions; provide family psychotherapy as appropriate.
• Diagnose mental disorders and conduct risk assessments and crisis interventions.
• Administer psychological and/or neuropsychological assessments.
• Develop, implement, and document psychotherapeutic treatment plans, including timely completion of clinical reminders and other required records.
• Follow operational policies and procedures for the treatment team, Impact Unit, Mental Health Care Line, and facility.
• Collaborate with clinical leadership to identify operational questions and develop plans to address them using quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Comply with CPRS documentation procedures, including timeliness standards, patient checkout, diagnostic and procedure codes, and return-to-clinic orders.
• Attend and participate in administrative and informational meetings.
• Provide consultation on empirically validated treatments and collaborate with medical and mental health professionals and psychology staff.
• Provide workshops and seminars on empirically validated psychological treatments and other areas of expertise.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with potential award up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and program approval.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential annual leave accrual credit for qualifying prior federal or military service, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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