Staff Psychologist - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) - EDRP Authorized

Veterans Health Administration • Balcones Heights, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist works in the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) at one of two VA clinics in San Antonio, Texas. The vacancy may be filled at GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13, with duties and independence increasing by grade. The role provides psychological assessment, diagnosis, treatment, consultation, education, and coordination of care for Veterans. Services may be delivered in person or by telehealth when clinically indicated; the position is not virtual, and telework is ad hoc only as determined by agency policy.

At GS-11, the psychologist conducts diagnostic interviews, psychological evaluations, and suicide risk assessments; provides brief evidence-based individual, group, and family interventions; uses structured clinical methods to support diagnosis and treatment planning; consults with interdisciplinary team members; educates patients and families; and documents care. The psychologist also participates in team meetings, care coordination, training, supervision, professional development, and assigned BHIP initiatives.

At GS-12, the psychologist independently conducts comprehensive evaluations and provides evidence-based psychotherapy across individual, group, and family modalities. The role integrates assessment findings, interviews, and medical history into treatment recommendations; consults on complex behavioral health presentations; provides supervision and training to trainees and students as assigned; supports program implementation, evaluation, and quality improvement; monitors outcomes; and coordinates care across disciplines and levels of care.

At GS-13, the psychologist provides advanced evaluation and treatment for complex and high-risk conditions and a full spectrum of evidence-based psychotherapies. The role serves as a behavioral health subject matter expert, provides supervision to psychologists, trainees, and multidisciplinary staff, develops and evaluates clinical programs, designs and delivers training, and may lead research aligned with program goals. It also leads program operations and quality improvement, coordinates across service lines, represents Psychology Service in committees and workgroups, and contributes to policy, clinical standards, and service improvements.

The position requires a doctoral degree in psychology meeting VA accreditation or other specified qualification pathways, completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, and a full, current, unrestricted doctoral-level psychology license. A limited temporary appointment as a graduate psychologist may be available to otherwise qualified non-licensed applicants at GS-11 or GS-12 under the stated conditions. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to its eligibility requirements and approval; the award may be up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program, or another qualifying doctoral/re-specialization pathway described in the announcement.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, or an alternative internship qualification pathway described in the announcement.
• Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; qualifying non-licensed applicants may be eligible for a supervised temporary graduate psychologist appointment at GS-11 or GS-12 for up to two years.
• GS-11: No experience beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-12: At least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11, plus the specified knowledge and abilities in psychological treatments and assessment, treatment strategy design and implementation, and incorporating new clinical procedures; research capabilities apply as specified for research duties.
• GS-13: At least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus the specified ability to apply treatments across patient populations, provide professional consultation, and knowledge of clinical research literature.
• Creditable experience must be post-doctoral-degree experience as a professional psychologist directly related to the duties; postdoctoral fellowships or residencies count year-for-year.
• Meet applicable VA employment conditions, including background/security investigation, onboarding requirements, seasonal influenza vaccination, and any required drug screening or physical examination.
• Physical capability for light lifting and carrying under 15 pounds, use of fingers, use of both hands, hearing (aids may be permitted), performance of privileges, independent physical examination, and emotional and mental stability.
• Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions may be used to qualify; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Nice To Haves

• GS-12: Experience working on interdisciplinary teams or in a large medical center.
• GS-12: Experience working with Veteran and diverse populations.
• GS-12: Experience or training in evidence-based psychotherapies.
• GS-13: Experience working on interdisciplinary teams or in a large medical center.
• GS-13: Experience working with Veteran and diverse populations.
• GS-13: Experience or training in evidence-based psychotherapies.
• GS-13: Completion of an APA-accredited postdoctoral fellowship.
• GS-13: Administrative or process improvement experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct diagnostic interviews, psychological evaluations, and suicide risk assessments for Veterans.
• Provide evidence-based individual, group, and family interventions and psychotherapies.
• Apply structured clinical methods and integrate assessment data, interviews, and medical history to clarify diagnoses and guide treatment planning.
• Consult with interdisciplinary team members on behavioral health conditions, interventions, and complex presentations.
• Provide clinical services in person and through telehealth when clinically indicated.
• Educate patients and families about conditions, treatments, and self-management; develop and deliver education on behavioral health treatment and best practices.
• Document clinical care and complete workload capture in accordance with VA standards and performance requirements.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, treatment planning, care coordination, and coordination across disciplines and levels of care.
• Provide supervision and training to trainees, students, psychologists, and multidisciplinary staff, as assigned or appropriate to grade.
• Support BHIP operations and initiatives, and participate in program implementation, development, evaluation, and service-level initiatives.
• Monitor outcomes and contribute to quality improvement and performance improvement efforts.
• Lead program operations, planning, implementation, and evaluation at the GS-13 level.
• Design and deliver training and contribute to staff development.
• Participate in and potentially lead research aligned with program goals.
• Represent Psychology Service in committees and workgroups and contribute to policy, clinical standards, and service improvements.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval; award amount may be up to $200,000 for one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility and are available through the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

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