Staff Psychologist-Primary Care Mental Health Integration

Veterans Health Administration • Lansing, MI

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is hiring a Staff Psychologist to serve on the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) team at the Lansing VA Clinic in Lansing, Michigan. The position is within Psychology Service and reports directly to the PCMHI Program Manager. The psychologist provides assessment and treatment services, including interviews, psychosocial assessments, diagnostic impressions, treatment planning, psychotherapy, referrals, and clinical documentation. The role includes psychological testing and interpretation, ongoing measurement-based monitoring of patient progress, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. The psychologist may also contribute to treatment-program evaluation and provide instruction and supervision to psychology trainees or interns, medical students, or residents.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and VHA approval. The potential award is up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years. The stated work schedule is Monday through Friday, 0800–1630; weekends and/or evenings may be required based on the nature of the work. Ad hoc telework may be available at supervisory discretion; this is not a virtual position. The full performance level is GS-13, and selection may be at GS-11 through GS-13.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in psychology from an eligible accredited program, or an eligible doctoral degree and qualifying respecialization, or a qualifying doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 with a primarily psychological dissertation.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, subject to the listed exceptions.
• Full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level psychology license in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; qualifying non-licensed applicants may be considered for a temporary graduate psychologist appointment under licensed supervision.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For GS-12 selection, at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11 and the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-13 selection, at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, and the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Ability to meet pre-employment requirements, including applicable drug screening, background/security investigation, physical evaluation, onboarding, and required influenza vaccination.
• Willingness to serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Former EDRP participants are not eligible to apply for the EDRP incentive.
• Prior work experience or military service may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessment interviews and obtain psychosocial histories.
• Prepare psychosocial assessment reports, formulate diagnostic impressions, and develop treatment plans.
• Provide individual and group psychotherapy using appropriate therapeutic approaches.
• Make referrals for aftercare and placement, and document services and treatment progress.
• Administer, score, and evaluate psychodiagnostic tests; interpret results and prepare reports.
• Use interviews, rating scales, questionnaires, measurement tools, and observation to assess patients’ emotional, functional, or psychological condition.
• Develop and implement treatment plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team and using designated treatment-planning software.
• Monitor patient progress using Measurement Based Care principles, determine when reassessment is appropriate, and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
• Participate in a psychologically therapeutic program or clinic as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Participate in planning committees evaluating treatment-program effectiveness and modifying programs to meet patient needs, when called upon.
• Advise other staff professionals to promote and preserve a therapeutic environment for patients.
• Instruct and supervise psychology trainees or interns, medical students, or residents in psychological assessment and services.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program reimbursement of up to $200,000 for eligible participants, subject to approval.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 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.
• 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.
• Child-care subsidy may be available to eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and program 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 can be carried into retirement.
• Potential annual-leave accrual credit for qualifying prior work or military service, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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