Staff Psychologist - Geropsychologist

Veterans Health Administration • Las Vegas, NV

27d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist – Geropsychologist provides direct psychological care primarily to an inpatient medical rehabilitation, geriatric, palliative care, and hospice population with complex and chronic disabling diseases. The psychologist works independently as a member of the VASNHS Medical Staff with full clinical privileges and assumes professional responsibility for clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation.

The role provides psychological assessment, diagnosis, evidence-based psychotherapy, consultation, and education to Veterans, their families and caregivers, medical and nursing staff, and community providers. It also supports multidisciplinary care planning, discharge planning, transitions to new living arrangements, and assessment of patients’ capacity and ability to manage specific responsibilities or live independently.

This is a permanent, full-time position with a Monday-through-Friday schedule from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation assistance is not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval. The full performance level is GS-13.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program, with specialty consistent with the assignment; alternatively, qualifying retraining or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree may meet the education requirement under the stated conditions.
• Successful completion of a professional psychology internship meeting the stated accreditation or VHA program criteria, or qualifying board certification or equivalent internship provisions as described in the announcement.
• A full, current, unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• At least two additional years of qualifying professional psychologist experience beyond the basic requirements, including at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level, or qualification under the stated grandfathering provision.
• Knowledge and ability to apply professional psychological treatments across a full range of patient populations; ability to provide professional advice and consultation in professional psychology and behavioral health; and knowledge of clinical research literature.
• Current driver’s license; must be approved by occupational health to drive a government vehicle when necessary for professional duties.
• Pass required pre-employment physical evaluation or examination and, if selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening.
• Complete a background/security investigation and the online onboarding process, and provide acceptable identification and required application documents.
• Comply with the seasonal influenza vaccination program requirement for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.
• Meet EDRP eligibility requirements and submit an application within four months of appointment to be considered for the student loan repayment program.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with geriatric and Veteran populations.
• Experience conducting home visits with a high level of clinical skill and autonomy.
• Experience in palliative care or nursing homes.
• Clinical teaching experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological assessment services and diagnose mental disorders, particularly for medically complex patients or patients with challenging behaviors.
• Provide education to patients, family members, significant others, medical staff, and nursing staff.
• Provide evidence-based individual, family, and group psychotherapy as clinically indicated.
• Consult with VASNHS professional staff and community providers on clinical assessment findings and appropriate treatment plans.
• Develop and document psychological assessments, promptly complete clinical reminders, and comply with CPRS documentation and patient check-out procedures, including entering diagnostic and procedure codes.
• Work independently as a member of the VASNHS Medical Staff with full clinical privileges and accept professional responsibility for assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation.
• Comply with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screenings and completion of clinical reminders.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, including Palliative Care, Geriatric Evaluation, and HBPC, to assist with care and discharge planning.
• Facilitate patients’ transition and adjustment to new living situations, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and provide intervention services as appropriate.
• Perform capacity and competency assessments concerning patients’ ability to make medical decisions, manage finances, perform other specific functions, or live independently.
• Provide psychoeducational and supportive interventions for Veterans’ spouses, family members, caregivers, and others who help keep the Veteran at home.
• Travel within the medical center and community to conduct interviews with Veterans, families, community health and welfare agencies, and law enforcement agencies as needed.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with approval and award amounts up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years, subject to program review and individual eligibility.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on qualifications or VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 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 income and other conditions.
• 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 federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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