Staff Psychologist (Behavioral Medicine)

Veterans Health Administration • Memphis, TN

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist provides psychological services within Specialty Medicine programs at the VA Medical Center in Memphis, with a primary assignment in pain management. Other program areas may be assigned based on workload and mission requirements. Services may include care for patients in pain management, sleep medicine, nephrology/dialysis, spinal cord injury, cardiology, pulmonary rehabilitation, and endocrinology.

The psychologist provides psychological assessments and diagnoses mental disorders, particularly for patients with behavioral medicine conditions, and delivers evidence-based psychotherapy and behavioral medicine interventions. Services include individual, family, and group psychotherapy, in person and through telehealth. The role works independently with full clinical privileges and assumes professional responsibility for clinical findings, care decisions, and documentation.

The position includes consultation and coordination with VA staff, community providers, other mental health providers, and specialty medical programs. The psychologist supports same-day mental health access as needed, may supervise and instruct psychology trainees, educates patients and families, and may assist with the design and implementation of behavioral medicine programs. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available; this is not a virtual position.

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 an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program, with a specialty consistent with the assignment; alternatively, a qualifying doctoral degree plus an accredited re-specialization program, or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree with a primarily psychological dissertation.
• Successful completion of a professional psychology internship meeting the stated accreditation or VHA criteria; an internship not accredited at the time may qualify if the applicant is currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty consistent with the assignment.
• Full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• For GS-13: at least two additional years of professional psychology experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, obtained through psychologist employment or supervised postdoctoral training, with the stated active-practice and licensure qualifications.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to apply professional psychological treatments to a full range of patient populations.
• Demonstrate ability to provide professional advice and consultation related to professional psychology and behavioral health.
• Demonstrate knowledge of clinical research literature.
• Meet VA onboarding, background/security investigation, identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period if appointed.

Nice To Haves

• Highly qualified applicants may be considered for a recruitment or relocation incentive.
• Highly qualified applicants may be considered for permanent change of station relocation assistance.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological services within Specialty Medicine programs, primarily pain management, and potentially other program areas based on workload and mission requirements.
• Conduct psychological assessments and diagnose mental disorders, particularly for patients with behavioral medicine conditions.
• Provide evidence-based psychotherapy and behavioral medicine interventions, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy in person and through telehealth.
• Consult with VA Medical Center staff and community providers regarding assessment findings and treatment plans.
• Develop, implement, and document treatment plans for an assigned caseload, including completing clinical reminders promptly.
• Practice independently as a member of the VA Medical Center at Memphis Medical Staff with full clinical privileges and take professional responsibility for assessments, care decisions, and documentation.
• Support same-day access to mental health services in person, by phone, or through telehealth when needed.
• Provide clinical supervision and instruction to psychology trainees as needed.
• Collaborate with mental health providers and refer Veterans to additional mental health services when indicated.
• Educate patients, family members, and significant others about mental and behavioral health concerns.
• Provide clinical services using tele-mental health and tele-home technology.
• Assist the program director or coordinator with designing, developing, and implementing behavioral medicine programs.
• Follow operational policies and procedures for the Behavioral Health and Neuropsychology Section and relevant Specialty Medicine programs.
• Coordinate services through liaisons with other facility health care programs.
• Attend required Psychology Discipline, Mental Health Service, Behavioral Medicine and Neuropsychology, and specialty medical program meetings, and comply with Psychology Section peer review procedures.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan reimbursement of up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and program approval.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, subject to program terms.
• Child care subsidy for eligible full-time employees, subject to income and other eligibility requirements.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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