Staff Psychologist

Veterans Health Administration • Ann Arbor, MI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist provides psychological assessment and treatment services within the scope of granted clinical privileges. The role serves patients in inpatient, outpatient, or specialty care settings and collaborates with multidisciplinary medical and mental health teams. The position also includes clinical supervision, consultation, education, quality improvement, and assigned administrative and committee duties.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility requirements and approval. The program may provide up to $200,000 in student loan reimbursement over an eligibility period of one to five years. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. Work is largely office-based and sedentary, with electronic clinical charting using a computer.

The vacancy may be filled at GS-11 through GS-13, with GS-13 as the full performance level. Applicants must meet applicable doctoral education, internship, licensure, and grade-level qualification requirements. A temporary appointment as a graduate psychologist may be available to otherwise qualified non-licensed applicants for up to two years, provided they work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program in an eligible specialty area consistent with the assignment; alternatively, an eligible doctoral degree with a qualifying re-specialization program, or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree with a primarily psychological dissertation.
• Successful completion of an eligible professional psychology internship, or satisfaction of one of the listed alternative internship pathways.
• A full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, unless eligible for the stated temporary graduate psychologist appointment.
• GS-11: no experience beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-12: at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11, plus the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• GS-13: at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Submit a transcript with the application; foreign education used to meet requirements must be accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• Meet applicable background/security investigation, pre-employment physical examination, onboarding, and identification requirements.
• Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing-designated position are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to male applicants born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment upon completion.
• Use a computer for electronic clinical charting.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive psychological assessments and formulate diagnostic impressions using standardized and clinically appropriate methods.
• Deliver evidence-based and evidence-informed psychotherapy for mental health, substance use, behavioral, and psychosocial concerns within granted clinical privileges.
• Complete required clinical documentation and charting in accordance with healthcare system timelines, quality standards, and accreditation requirements.
• Provide clinical supervision to unlicensed staff and trainees, and guidance and education to assigned staff in psychological service delivery.
• Consult with other professional personnel regarding psychological services and treatment planning.
• Educate patients, family members, professional staff, and trainees about mental health conditions and treatment approaches.
• Perform risk assessments for self-harm or harm to others and implement suicide prevention and crisis management procedures.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary medical and mental health teams in inpatient, outpatient, or specialty care settings.
• Participate in performance improvement and quality assurance activities relevant to psychological services and assigned clinical programs.
• Abide by ethical principles addressed by psychology licensing boards.
• Support and/or participate in scientific activity.
• Serve on internal and external committees as assigned.
• Carry out limited-scope administrative responsibilities as assigned.
• Serve on Mental Health Service, Healthcare System, VISN, and/or National VA committees as directed.
• Participate in leadership roles in VA or partner affiliate programs, or professional organizations, as directed.
• Represent the Healthcare System at professional and program community events, groups, and committees as directed.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan reimbursement, subject to eligibility and approval, 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 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 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 of a child.
• Potential childcare subsidy after 60 days for eligible full-time employees with total family income below $144,000, covering up to 25% of eligible 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 can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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