Staff Psychologist - EDRP-Recruitment/Relocation Incentive

Veterans Health Administration • Temple, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist provides psychological services to Veterans in a Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program and an outpatient general mental health treatment setting. The role includes biopsychosocial assessment, shared treatment planning, recovery planning, evidence-based psychological treatment, psychodiagnostic and neurocognitive screening, and consultation as part of interdisciplinary care. The psychologist works with Veterans experiencing a range of co-occurring disorders, including anxiety, PTSD, depression, substance use, psychosis, and personality disorders.

The position also involves maintaining patient records and follow-up data, meeting clinical documentation and performance standards, participating in program and medical center meetings, and contributing to process redesign efforts. The position is full-time, with one of three stated weekday schedules: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; or 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The vacancy is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, with approval, award amount, and eligibility period determined by the program office. Recruitment/relocation incentives are authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from an eligible APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited program in a specialty consistent with the assignment; alternatively, a qualifying doctoral degree and completed re-specialization program, or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution with a primarily psychological dissertation.
• Successful completion of an eligible professional psychology internship, or an applicable stated alternative.
• Full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; eligible non-licensed applicants may receive a temporary graduate psychologist appointment under the stated conditions.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For GS-12: at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11, plus the ability to apply a wide range of psychological treatments or assessment methods, design and implement treatment strategies, and incorporate new clinical procedures. Research-related abilities are also specified for applicable research duties.
• For GS-13: at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus the ability to apply psychological treatments across patient populations, provide professional advice and consultation in psychology and behavioral health, and understand clinical research literature.
• Must meet VA background, security, onboarding, identification, influenza vaccination, and other stated employment conditions. Selected applicants must serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of experience in a generalist setting.
• License to practice independently.
• Experience working with Veteran or military populations.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams.
• Training or certification in evidence-based psychotherapies.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to gathering biopsychosocial assessment information.
• Use shared decision-making with Veterans to develop detailed treatment plans for Veterans served by the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program.
• Provide recovery planning and psychological treatment to Veterans with co-occurring disorders, including anxiety, PTSD, depression, substance use, psychosis, and personality disorders.
• Provide individual and group psychotherapy and consultative services in an outpatient general mental health treatment setting as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Provide evidence-based individual and group psychotherapy for Veterans with complex mental health problems, using approaches supported by psychological research.
• Administer, score, document, and discuss psychodiagnostic tests and screening instruments, including neurocognitive screening, to clarify diagnoses and monitor treatment outcomes.
• Participate in medical center hospital committees as directed.
• Serve as an advisor, consultant, or resource to medical center staff.
• Maintain appropriate records and follow-up data for assigned patients.
• Participate in process redesign efforts to evaluate treatment program effectiveness and improve services for Veterans.
• Comply with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screenings and completion of clinical reminders.
• Follow CPRS documentation procedures and timeliness standards, including patient checkout, diagnostic and procedure codes, encounter completion, and signing or co-signing notes.
• Attend and participate in administrative and informational meetings held by CTVHCS and Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine management.
• Attend and participate in program-level meetings, including MHRRTP huddles and treatment team meetings.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan reimbursement, subject to eligibility and program approval; awards may be up to $200,000.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or agency needs.
• 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.
• Potential 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, subject to the stated conditions.
• Child care subsidy eligibility for qualifying full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other limits.
• 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 programs can be carried into retirement.
• Recruitment/relocation incentive authorized.

What This Job Offers

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