Staff Psychologist-Pain

Veterans Health Administration • Honolulu, HI

5d

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist provides psychological assessment and psychotherapy services to Veterans with chronic pain and co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses, including depressive, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders. The psychologist uses contemporary interview and psychometric assessment methods and evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions appropriate to the clinical setting. Care may include individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and telehealth services.

The position works collaboratively with an interdisciplinary care team, consulting with health care providers and coordinating care as appropriate. The psychologist is responsible for timely and complete clinical documentation, compliance with facility and Service Line policies, clinical risk assessment and reduction, and meeting clinical workload expectations. At the applicable grade, the psychologist practices independently with full clinical privileges and assumes responsibility for assessment findings, care decisions, and documentation. The role may also involve program evaluation, research activities, combat-related psychological evaluations, assessment of military sexual trauma, and evaluation or referral for substance use disorders.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval. The work schedule is 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework may be authorized at the supervisor's discretion; this is not a virtual position. The full performance level is GS-13, and selection may be at GS-11 through GS-13.

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.
• A qualifying doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program, or an eligible alternative degree and re-specialization route described in the announcement.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, subject to the stated exceptions and alternatives.
• A 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 for up to two years.
• Applicants whose internship was not accredited by APA or CPA when completed must have relevant American Board of Professional Psychology board certification and maintain it.
• For GS-12: at least one year of postdoctoral professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11, and the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities in psychological treatments and assessment, treatment strategy design, and clinical procedures; research-related KSAs apply where research duties are specified.
• For GS-13: at least two years of postdoctoral professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, and the specified knowledge and abilities in psychological treatments, professional consultation, and clinical research literature.
• Meet pre-employment screening and onboarding conditions, including urinalysis for applicants tentatively selected for testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, and required identification and documentation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychotherapy and psychological assessments for treatment of Veterans with chronic pain and co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses.
• Use contemporary interview and psychometric assessment methods for behavioral health conditions and mental disorders.
• Provide evidence-based interventions for chronic pain, including individual, couples, family, or group psychotherapy and psychoeducation as appropriate.
• Consult with health care providers about assessment findings and treatment plans to support coordinated, collaborative, integrated care.
• Provide clinical care coordination as appropriate to the setting and duties.
• Complete clinical documentation in accordance with Service Line requirements, including timely patient contact notes, templates, clinical reminders, treatment plans, and risk assessments.
• Follow facility and Service Line clinical-care policies, including risk assessment and reduction, access and timeliness standards, professional conduct, and documentation conventions.
• Meet the Service's minimum clinical workload expectations.
• Practice independently as a member of the Medical Staff with full clinical privileges and take professional responsibility for assessment findings, patient-care decisions, and documentation.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on interventions, treatment strategies, and behavioral health services, potentially including telehealth.
• Provide appropriate psycho-diagnostic services, which may include structured interviews, behavioral assessments, and standardized psychological evaluation instruments.
• Select and apply appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques, emphasizing evidence-based chronic-pain treatments consistent with practice guidelines.
• Conduct evaluations of combat-related psychological conditions and the effects of military sexual trauma, and assess the need for substance-use-disorder evaluation and referral.
• Demonstrate leadership that contributes to a positive work environment and participate in program evaluation or research activities.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with approved awards up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in qualifying circumstances.
• Child care subsidy for eligible full-time employees meeting the stated income and other program requirements.
• Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k), with VA contributions up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.
• A recruitment incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified applicant.

What This Job Offers

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