Staff Psychologist-Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC)

Veterans Health Administration • Salisbury, NC

7d

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist provides psychological services in the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC). The role includes diagnosing mental disorders; conducting psychological and/or neuropsychological assessments; treating mental disorders through multiple modalities; and providing adjunctive interventions for medical disorders. The psychologist delivers psycho-diagnostic services and evidence-based therapeutic interventions, contributes to peer review and quality assurance, and coordinates referrals and consultations across multidisciplinary teams and specialty programs.

The position includes clinical supervision, staff and trainee consultation, and training for medical, psychiatric, nursing, and other graduate or postgraduate trainees. It also involves program monitoring and outcome measurement, timely clinical documentation, and, when applicable, research, presentations, grant or proposal assistance, and service on committees and professional organizations. The psychologist represents the Medical Center or Healthcare System in professional and community settings and promotes teamwork, courteous communication, and patient confidentiality.

The position has a work schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is not a virtual position; ad-hoc telework is noted. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and program approval. The full performance level is GS-13.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program; alternatively, qualifying doctoral education and respecialization, or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree, as specified in the announcement.
• Completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship consistent with the assignment, subject to the listed exceptions.
• Full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; certain non-licensed applicants may receive a supervised graduate psychologist appointment for up to two years, subject to the stated conditions.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• 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, incorporating clinical procedures, and research activities or research-team tasks as applicable.
• For GS-13: at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus the specified knowledge and ability to apply professional psychological treatments across patient populations, provide professional advice and consultation, and understand clinical research literature.
• GS-11/12 psychologists must obtain doctoral-level licensure within two years of appointment; GS-13 applicants must already hold a full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level license.
• U.S. citizenship; background/security investigation; completion of required onboarding and application requirements; and participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Selected applicants must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and from an accredited institution; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose mental disorders; conduct psychological and/or neuropsychological assessments; treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities; and provide adjunctive interventions for medical disorders.
• Provide psycho-diagnostic services and select appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques and evidence-based therapies.
• Participate in peer review and assess the quality of professional psychology standards provided in the organization.
• Identify patient problems requiring multidisciplinary consultation and make appropriate referrals, including referrals to specialty programs and community resources.
• Maintain accountability for clinical practice, including entering patient visits, measuring intervention outcomes, and meeting productivity standards.
• Provide clinical supervision to staff and trainees, including pre-doctoral interns and post-doctoral residents.
• Provide leadership guidance and consultation to staff on assigned units.
• Assist in training medical students, medical and psychiatric residents, nursing students, fellows, and other graduate or postgraduate trainees, as appropriate.
• Consult with medical center staff and trainees on psychological characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations for Veterans.
• Oversee program monitors and outcome measurements using a data-driven quality assurance process.
• Complete required clinical charting and documentation in a timely manner.
• When applicable, plan and oversee personal research programs concerning program planning and relevant treatment approaches.
• Present outcome data and research results at VA, regional, or national scientific or professional meetings.
• Assist with preparation of requests for proposals and grant proposals, as assigned.
• Serve on Medical Center or Healthcare System, VISN, and/or National VA committees or task forces, and represent Psychology on decision-making committees.
• Participate in leadership roles in local, state, and national professional organizations.
• Represent the Medical Center or Healthcare System at professional and community group events and committees.
• Promote teamwork and communicate with and assist staff, visitors, and customers courteously and professionally while supporting hospital goals and maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with an award of up to $200,000 subject to eligibility and program approval.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in qualifying circumstances.
• Child care subsidy for eligible full-time employees, subject to eligibility and program limits.
• Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs may be carried into retirement.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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