Staff Psychologist - Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Team (PCT)

Veterans Health Administration • Fresno, CA

9d

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist will serve on the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Team (PCT), also known as the Trauma Recovery Outpatient Program (TROP), and provide treatment and service coordination for individuals diagnosed with PTSD. The psychologist provides clinical services appropriate to the complexity of each patient’s needs and coordinates additional services when necessary, such as inpatient or chemical dependency referrals.

The position is part of the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic and works within an interdisciplinary team, consulting with colleagues on patient care and sharing specialized expertise. Services may be delivered in person or through telecommunication equipment. The psychologist may also provide PTSD consultation and education to health care professionals and employees at the Medical Center, Veterans Center, and in the community.

This is an open continuous announcement through December 11, 2026. The initial application referral cutoff is October 26, 2026, with later applications referred at regular intervals or as vacancies arise. The full performance level is GS-13; selection may be at GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Limited ad hoc telework may be available; this is not a virtual position. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered to a highly qualified applicant, but relocation assistance is not authorized.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility requirements and timely application. Program approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA program office. Applicants must meet VA education, internship, and licensure requirements. A doctoral degree in psychology from an eligible accredited program, or an approved qualifying alternative, and completion of an eligible professional psychology internship are required. A full, current, unrestricted doctoral-level psychology license is required, with a temporary graduate psychologist appointment possible for eligible non-licensed applicants under the stated conditions.

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 a qualifying APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited program, or another qualifying education pathway described in the announcement.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, subject to the stated alternatives.
• Full, current, unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, unless eligible for the temporary graduate psychologist appointment exception.
• For GS-12: at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-13: at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Meet pre-employment screening and appointment conditions, including background/security investigation, required testing for testing-designated positions, physical evaluation, seasonal influenza vaccination, onboarding, and a one- or two-year trial period.
• Complete all application requirements listed in the announcement’s Required Documents section.

Nice To Haves

• Experience treating trauma-related mental health conditions.

Responsibilities

• Attend and fully participate in regular PCT meetings and case consultations.
• Provide psychological assessment services and diagnose mental disorders, particularly PTSD.
• Educate patients, family members, and significant others about signs, symptoms, treatments, and expected treatment outcomes.
• Provide comprehensive, evidence-based individual and group psychotherapy in consultation with the PCT, in person or via telecommunication equipment.
• Participate in and complete training and supervision in evidence-based PTSD treatments, such as Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy.
• Work within an interdisciplinary team, consulting with colleagues on patient care and sharing specialized expertise.
• Coordinate work with other mental health programs, including Primary Care Mental Health Integration, inpatient services, and Substance Use Disorder programs.
• Provide PTSD consultation and education to health care professionals and employees at the Medical Center, Veterans Center, and in the community, as needed.
• Follow treatment-team operational policies and procedures established by the program manager/leader and/or Chief of Mental Health Service.
• Assist the PCT Manager with program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects.
• Coordinate services through liaison with other health care programs.
• Meet national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders.
• Comply with peer review and case presentation procedures and attend peer review meetings when called.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program, with a potential award of up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years, subject to approval and individual eligibility.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and paid federal holidays.
• 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 after 60 days for eligible full-time employees and qualifying families.
• 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.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered to a highly qualified applicant.

What This Job Offers

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