Staff Psychologist

Veterans Health Administration • Stillwater, OK

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist conducts psychological assessments and provides evidence-based and evidence-informed psychotherapy for mental health, substance use, behavioral, and psychosocial concerns within granted clinical privileges. The role serves patients in inpatient, outpatient, or specialty care settings and contributes to multidisciplinary medical and mental health teams. The position also involves clinical supervision and education, consultation, quality improvement, and support for scientific activity. The full performance level is GS-13; applicants may be selected at GS-11 through GS-13. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is situational (ad hoc); the position is not virtual. The work is primarily sedentary and may require driving or travel.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and timely application. After complete review, the VHA program office determines approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years). EDRP is not available to former EDRP participants. Recruitment or relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station assistance are not authorized.

Applicants must meet VA psychologist education, internship, and other basic requirements, including the required doctoral degree in psychology and qualifying professional psychology internship, or an applicable alternative described in the announcement. Grade-specific qualifications include professional psychologist experience and demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities. The position requires proficiency in spoken and written English, U.S. citizenship subject to the stated exception, and compliance with VA employment, security, onboarding, and vaccination requirements.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program in a specialty area consistent with the assignment, or one of the alternative education pathways specified in the announcement.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, or an applicable alternative specified in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• GS-11: Meet the basic requirements; no additional experience beyond those requirements is specified.
• GS-12: At least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to GS-11, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities. Psychologists who are not licensed must practice under licensed-psychologist supervision.
• GS-13: At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Meet VA pre-employment conditions, including applicable drug testing, background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Meet the position’s physical requirements, including prolonged sitting or standing and the listed occasional or frequent physical activities; the position may require driving or travel.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive psychological assessments and formulate diagnostic impressions using standardized and clinically appropriate methods.
• Deliver evidence-based and evidence-informed psychotherapy for mental health, substance use, behavioral, and psychosocial concerns within granted clinical privileges.
• Complete required clinical documentation and charting in accordance with healthcare system timelines, quality standards, and accreditation requirements.
• Provide clinical supervision, guidance, and education to assigned staff and trainees involved in psychological service delivery.
• Consult with other professional personnel regarding psychological services and treatment planning.
• Educate patients, patients’ family members, professional staff, and trainees about mental health conditions and treatment approaches.
• Perform risk assessments for self-harm or harm to others and implement suicide prevention and crisis management procedures.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary medical and mental health teams in inpatient, outpatient, or specialty care settings.
• Participate in performance improvement and quality assurance activities relevant to psychological services and assigned clinical programs.
• Abide by ethical principles addressed by psychology licensing boards.
• Support and/or participate in scientific activity.
• May serve on internal and external committees.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and paid Federal holidays.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience, 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 of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a child care subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income, child, cost, and program limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Education Debt Reduction Program, for eligible participants and subject to program approval, with an award of up to $200,000.

What This Job Offers

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