Staff Psychologist - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program - BHIP

Veterans Health Administration • Peoria, IL

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist provides outpatient general mental health services to patients in the VA Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) in Peoria, Illinois. The role assesses and provides primary interventions for veterans experiencing adjustment, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disorders. The psychologist provides individual and group therapy, family counseling, psychoeducational groups, and psychological assessment services other than neuropsychological assessment, using best practices, clinical practice guidelines, and evidence-based treatment protocols where feasible.

The position includes timely and accurate clinical documentation, participation in peer and clinical pertinence reviews, coordination with multidisciplinary medical center staff, and referrals to specialty programs and community resources. The incumbent is accountable for patient visits, intervention outcome measurement, productivity standards, program monitoring, and data-driven quality assurance, and implements process improvements to support effective service delivery. Licensed psychologists perform clinical functions independently and may guide or supervise others. Unlicensed psychologists work under close supervision of a licensed psychologist, with supervised experience meeting psychology licensure standards.

The position is full-time, with a work schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Compressed or flexible scheduling is not authorized. Telework is available, but this is not a virtual position. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates. The vacancy may be filled at GS-11 through GS-13, with GS-13 identified as the full performance level.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• A doctoral degree in psychology meeting the specified APA, PCSAS, or CPA accreditation requirements, or an eligible alternative degree and re-specialization pathway. Required transcripts and/or program documentation must be provided as applicable.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, subject to the stated exceptions and alternatives.
• A full, current, unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; otherwise, eligible non-licensed applicants may be appointed temporarily as graduate psychologists under licensed supervision, subject to the stated conditions.
• For GS-12 consideration, at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11, plus the specified knowledge and abilities in psychological treatments and assessment, treatment strategy design, and incorporation of clinical procedures. Research-related KSAs apply only to staff psychologists with specified research duties.
• For GS-13 consideration, at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus the specified knowledge and abilities in psychological treatment, professional advice and consultation, and clinical research literature.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, required drug screening for testing-designated positions, pre-employment physical evaluation, and seasonal influenza vaccination.
• Complete required application and onboarding documentation and serve the required one- or two-year trial period if appointed.

Nice To Haves

• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates; this is an incentive rather than a qualification.

Responsibilities

• Provide outpatient general mental health services to veterans with adjustment, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
• Deliver psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual therapy, group therapy, family counseling, and psychoeducational groups.
• Use best practices, clinical practice guidelines, and evidence-based treatment protocols where feasible.
• Provide psychological assessment services, excluding neuropsychological assessment, to clarify patient needs and support treatment planning.
• Complete accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with facility and mental health service expectations and policies.
• Participate in peer review and clinical pertinence review to help ensure the quality of psychology services.
• Identify patient problems requiring consultation with multidisciplinary medical center staff and make appropriate referrals.
• Refer patients to specialty programs and community resources, including relevant mental health, substance use, PTSD, neuropsychology, case management, vocational, and homeless services.
• Enter patient visits, measure outcomes of interventions, and meet productivity standards.
• Participate in establishing program monitors and outcome measurements using data-driven quality assurance processes.
• Implement process-improvement initiatives to promote effective service delivery.
• Promote patient independence and optimal health through psychosocial education and community referrals.
• If licensed, perform clinical functions independently and provide guidance or supervision to others as appropriate.
• If unlicensed, practice under close supervision of a licensed psychologist.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Eligible employees may receive credit toward annual leave accrual based on 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-care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-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 federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

What This Job Offers

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