Staff Psychologist Primary Care Mental Health Integration(PCMHI)

Veterans Health Administration • Millington, TN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist provides Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) services to Veterans referred by Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) for mental health and behavioral health services. The role delivers assessment and treatment appropriate to primary care, including diagnosis and care for mental disorders, complex cases, and conditions with mental health components, such as chronic illness and substance use disorders. Services include same-day access, crisis intervention, and care in person, by telephone, and through telehealth as needed.

The psychologist determines whether Veterans should be enrolled in Behavioral Health Laboratory telephone services and selects appropriate PCMHI dispositions, such as brief therapy or referral management. The position provides patient and family education; evidence-based individual, family, and group psychotherapy; and consultation to PACT staff, VA Medical Center at Memphis and Community-Based Outpatient Clinic providers, VISN 9 BHL and PCMHI, and community providers. The psychologist documents patient care, treatment plans, crisis interventions, and suicide risk assessments in CPRS and coordinates care with PACT teams and related services.

The position may include clinical supervision and instruction for trainees, support for the design and implementation of clinical programs, participation in program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement, and coordination with other VA care programs. The psychologist follows PACT operational policies established by the Chief of Primary Care and/or Ambulatory Care Director. The position may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and approval; relocation or recruitment incentives may also be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Full, current, unrestricted doctoral-level psychology license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program, with an eligible specialty consistent with the assignment; alternatively, the stated qualifying re-specialization or 1951–1978 doctoral-degree pathways.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, subject to the listed alternatives and exceptions.
• At least 2 additional years of professional psychologist experience, including at least 1 year equivalent to the GS-12 level; qualifying experience may include supervised postdoctoral psychology training meeting the stated criteria.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.
• Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in professional psychology and behavioral health.
• Knowledge of clinical research literature.
• Must complete required background/security investigation and onboarding requirements; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-employment urinalysis.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a VA health care personnel requirement.
• Must serve a 1- or 2-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide PCMHI services to Veterans referred by PACT for mental health or behavioral health services.
• Conduct mental health assessment and treatment appropriate to primary care, including diagnosing and treating complex mental disorders and conditions with mental health components.
• Support same-day access to mental health services, including crisis intervention, in person, by telephone, and through telehealth as needed.
• Determine enrollment in BHL telephone services and appropriate PCMHI dispositions, such as brief therapy and referral management.
• Educate patients, family members, and significant others about mental and behavioral health concerns.
• Provide evidence-based individual, family, and group psychotherapy, including interventions such as Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
• Consult with PACT staff, VA Medical Center and CBOC providers, VISN 9 BHL and PCMHI, and community providers about clinical findings and treatment plans.
• Develop, implement, and document patient care, treatment plans, crisis interventions, and suicide risk assessments in CPRS.
• Communicate and coordinate care with PACT teams and VISN 9 BHL through meetings and telephone communications.
• May provide clinical supervision and instruction to PCMHI trainees.
• Assist with the design, development, and implementation of clinical programs for Primary Care Clinics.
• Assist with ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects.
• Coordinate services with other VA programs, including homeless services, Veterans Justice Outreach, and specialty mental health.
• Adhere to PACT operational policies and perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program reimbursement may be available, up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and program approval.
• Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Federal employee benefits package is available; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Prior qualifying federal or military service may be credited toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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