Staff Psychologist (BHIP) - EDRP, Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be offered

Veterans Health Administration•Corpus Christi, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist is administratively within the Psychology Section of the Mental Health Service Line and works as part of a multidisciplinary general mental health team. The psychologist diagnoses and treats mental disorders, conducts psychological and cognitive assessments, and consults with other providers about mental disorders. The role provides general mental health services across a wide range of concerns, with particular emphasis on serious mental illnesses, including mood disorders, personality disorders, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The psychologist coordinates with providers from various disciplines to complete patient intakes and treatment plans. Treatment sessions are generally 30–45 minutes, and most concerns may involve 12–20 visits; treatment for personality disorders may continue for 12–24 months. The expected caseload is approximately 6–8 patients per day. The position provides psycho-diagnostic services, including psychological testing, and psychological evaluations for people with mental health and medical disorders to clarify diagnoses and inform treatment planning. Evaluations may include diagnostic interviews, records review, collateral contact, and objective or cognitive testing when indicated. The psychologist delivers a range of therapeutic interventions, emphasizing time-limited, evidence-based treatments for common disorders. The role may also involve program coordination and oversight, committee or work-group service, consultation, staff selection and supervision, supervision of trainees, teaching, and approved psychological research. A faculty appointment at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio may be pursued. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ad hoc telework is available; this is not a virtual position. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered at the hiring manager’s discretion and is subject to approval and a signed agreement before entry on duty. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval; awards may be up to $200,000 over one to five years. Permanent Change of Station relocation assistance is not authorized. The position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. The full-performance level is GS-13, and selection may be at GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13. Applicants must meet the stated doctoral education, internship, and licensure requirements, subject to the listed exceptions. A temporary graduate psychologist appointment may be possible for otherwise eligible nonlicensed applicants, with supervised practice and a requirement to obtain licensure within the appointment period.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program at the time of completion; alternatively, the specified qualifying doctoral degree and re-specialization program, or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution with a primarily psychological dissertation.
Successful completion of a professional psychology internship meeting the stated accreditation, program, or alternative qualification criteria and consistent with the assignment.
A full, current, unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; the stated temporary graduate psychologist appointment exception may apply to eligible nonlicensed applicants.
For GS-12, at least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to GS-11, in addition to basic requirements.
For GS-13, at least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, in addition to basic requirements.
GS-12 candidates must demonstrate the specified knowledge and abilities in applying psychological treatments or assessment methods, designing treatment strategies, incorporating clinical procedures, and (for designated research duties) conducting research activities and basic research tasks.
GS-13 candidates must demonstrate ability to apply professional psychological treatments across patient populations, provide professional advice and consultation in psychology and behavioral health, and knowledge of clinical research literature.
Selected applicants must meet pre-employment requirements, including applicable drug testing, background/security investigation, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
Selected applicants must serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency. A transcript must be submitted when relying on education for qualifications.

Nice To Haves

VA or Department of Defense experience.
Work experience in community settings.
Experience incorporating outcome measures into treatment.
Experience with evidence-based psychotherapies for individuals, groups, couples, and families.
Experience in case management in complex settings.
Experience in outpatient general mental health clinics.
Full, unrestricted license.

Responsibilities

Diagnose and treat mental disorders as part of a multidisciplinary general mental health team.
Conduct psychological and cognitive assessments and provide consultation to other providers regarding mental disorders.
Provide general mental health services, especially treatment and consultation for serious mental illnesses.
Coordinate with providers from various disciplines to complete patient intakes and treatment plans.
Provide psycho-diagnostic services, including psychological testing for primary and secondary psychological disorders.
Perform psychological evaluations for individuals with mental health and medical disorders to clarify diagnoses and recommend treatment plans, using interviews, records review, collateral contact, and testing as appropriate.
Deliver psychological therapeutic interventions, emphasizing time-limited, evidence-based treatments for common disorders.
Consult with and serve as a resource for professional personnel on psychological service needs, evaluation, and development.
May assist with coordination of mental health programming and oversight of administrative or programmatic resources.
May represent Psychology Service on administrative committees or work groups.
May assist with staff selection, training, and supervision.
May supervise psychology pre-doctoral interns and doctoral-level graduate practicum students in psychology and related disciplines.
May prepare and teach seminars or workshops for trainees and staff.
May serve on mental health, facility, or VISN committees.
May conduct approved psychological research independently or in collaboration with facility professionals or academic institutions.
May pursue a faculty appointment at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.

Benefits

Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 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.
Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
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 continue into retirement.
Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual and program eligibility, with potential awards up to $200,000 over one to five years.
Recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered to eligible candidates at the hiring manager’s discretion and subject to approval.

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