Staff Psychologist (PCMHI) - EDRP Approved, Rec/Relo Incentive may be offered.

Veterans Health Administration • McAllen, TX

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist works within fast-paced primary care teams in the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program, consulting with approximately 8–10 patients per day. The position helps primary care team members identify, treat, and manage mental health and behavioral medicine conditions in the enrolled population. Psychologists diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological and neuropsychological assessments, provide psychotherapy and other interventions, and offer adjunctive interventions for medical disorders. Services may be delivered face-to-face or by telehealth. Psychologists who are not licensed must provide care under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

The role includes psycho-diagnostic services and psychological testing, including specialized health psychology assessments such as pre-bariatric surgery and transplant assessments and interventions. The psychologist evaluates people with mental health and medical disorders to clarify diagnoses and recommend treatment, using interviews, records, collateral information, and objective or cognitive tests when indicated. The position also involves consultation with medical center staff, program coordination and evaluation, and may include teaching, training, supervision, committee service, and approved research.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and application requirements. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered at the hiring manager’s discretion, subject to approval and an agreement before entry on duty; permanent change-of-station relocation assistance is not authorized. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ad hoc telework is available, but this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program; alternatively, an eligible doctoral degree with a qualifying respecialization program, or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution with a primarily psychological dissertation.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, subject to the stated exceptions for certain VHA programs, board-certified applicants, and qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degrees.
• A full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. Eligible non-licensed applicants may receive a temporary graduate psychologist appointment at GS-11 or GS-12 for up to two years, with supervised practice, and must obtain licensure during that period.
• For GS-12, at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11.
• For GS-13, at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12.
• GS-12 candidates must demonstrate knowledge and ability to apply psychological treatments or assessment methods across patient populations, design and implement treatment strategies, and incorporate new clinical procedures; research-related abilities apply to staff psychologists with specified research duties.
• 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.
• Applicants using education to qualify must submit a transcript; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• Must complete required background/security checks, onboarding, and applicable pre-employment requirements; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to urinalysis.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Current licensure within the discipline.
• Experience providing individual and group psychotherapy for a wide array of diagnoses.
• Experience as a therapist in the VA.
• Experience in PCMHI and/or a primary care setting.

Responsibilities

• Consult with approximately 8–10 patients per day as part of fast-paced primary care teams, supporting identification, treatment, and management of mental health and behavioral medicine conditions.
• Diagnose mental disorders and conduct psychological or neuropsychological assessments.
• Provide individual, family, and group psychotherapy and other evidence-supported interventions for mental health and medical disorders.
• Provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders.
• Perform psycho-diagnostic evaluations and psychological testing, including specialized health psychology assessments such as pre-bariatric surgery and transplant assessments or interventions.
• Develop diagnostic clarification and treatment-planning recommendations using interviews, records, collateral information when available, and objective or cognitive tests when indicated.
• Consult with medical center staff and serve as a resource concerning patient care and psychological services.
• May assist with administration, oversight, and coordination of clinical program resources and programming.
• May represent Psychology Service on administrative committees or work groups.
• May assist with selecting, training, and supervising staff at lower grades.
• May serve as a clinical supervisor for psychology pre-doctoral interns and graduate practicum students.
• May prepare and teach seminars or workshops for trainees and staff.
• May participate in program evaluation, teaching, training, and approved psychological research.
• Work effectively with individuals and groups representing diverse backgrounds, interests, and viewpoints.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with approved awards up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of one to five years, subject to program requirements and approval.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or agency needs, subject to approval.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster placement.
• Child care subsidy may be available to eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other program requirements.
• 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 be carried into retirement.
• A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered to eligible candidates at the discretion of the hiring manager and subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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