Staff Psychologist-Recruitment/Relocation Incentive-EDRP Authorized

Veterans Health Administration•Kerrville, TX

5h•Hybrid

About The Position

This full-time position is located at the Kerrville VA Medical Center and serves the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) within Psychology Service of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. The Staff Psychologist provides individual, couple and family, and group psychotherapy; psychological assessment; and consultation to other members of the team. Licensed Staff Psychologists practice at the Full Performance Level. The position requires appropriate time and resources to support expected proficiencies in administration, clinical practice, education, and research as applicable. The psychologist provides diagnostic and evaluation services for BHIP patients, including evaluation of emotional and behavioral problems and suicide assessment. Evaluations may include comprehensive diagnostic interviews, review of available records, collateral contacts, and objective or cognitive testing when indicated. The psychologist also provides psychological interventions consistent with training and expertise, emphasizing brief and evidence-based interventions when appropriate, and provides telehealth services when indicated and appropriate. The role includes consultation and serving as a resource to other professional personnel regarding psychological services. The psychologist may assist with selection, training, and supervision of lower-grade staff within the assigned program, Psychology Service, or STVHCS. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is available on an ad hoc basis; this is not a virtual position. Recruitment or relocation incentives are authorized for highly qualified individuals, and the position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval. Permanent Change of Station relocation assistance is not authorized. Applicants must meet VA psychologist qualification requirements, including the applicable doctoral education and internship requirements, and hold a full, current, unrestricted doctoral-level psychology license, subject to the stated temporary graduate psychologist exception. The full performance level is GS-13; selection may be at GS-11 through GS-13. The announcement describes grade-specific experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities requirements. Applicants must also meet the stated citizenship, English proficiency, security, and other conditions of employment.

Requirements

Doctoral degree in psychology meeting the stated APA, PCSAS, or CPA accreditation requirements, or an eligible alternative pathway described in the announcement.
Successful completion of a professional psychology internship meeting the stated accreditation or alternative criteria.
Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated temporary graduate psychologist exception.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
GS-12 applicants: at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
GS-13 applicants: at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
GS-12 knowledge and abilities include applying psychological treatments or assessment methods across patient populations, designing and implementing treatment strategies, incorporating clinical procedures, and applicable research capabilities.
GS-13 knowledge and abilities include applying psychological treatments across the full range of patient populations, providing professional advice and consultation in psychology and behavioral health, and knowledge of clinical research literature.
U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens.
Selected applicants are subject to a background/security investigation and, for testing-designated positions, pre-appointment urinalysis.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
Selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
A one- or two-year trial period is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience working on interdisciplinary teams or in a large medical center.
Experience working with veteran and diverse populations.
Experience or training in evidence-based psychotherapies.
For GS-13 candidates: completion of an APA-accredited postdoctoral fellowship.
For GS-13 candidates: administrative or process-improvement experience.

Responsibilities

Provide diagnostic and evaluation services to BHIP patients for emotional and behavioral problems, including suicide assessment.
Conduct psychological evaluations for people with mental health and medical disorders to clarify diagnoses and inform treatment planning.
Use diagnostic interviews, available records, collateral contacts, and objective or cognitive tests when indicated.
Provide psychological interventions consistent with training and expertise, with emphasis on brief and evidence-based interventions when appropriate.
Provide services through telehealth when indicated and appropriate.
Provide consultation and serve as a resource to other professional personnel regarding the need for, evaluation of, and development of psychological services.
May assist with selection, training, and supervision of lower-grade staff within the assigned program, Psychology Service, or STVHCS.
Meet applicable Federal, national and local regulatory, policy, and accreditation requirements.
Maintain expected proficiencies in administration, clinical practice, education, and research as applicable.

Benefits

Education Debt Reduction Program, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years, subject to application review and approval.
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 experience, subject to approval.
Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Potential childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting.
Federal 401(k), with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
Recruitment or relocation incentive authorized for highly qualified individuals.