Staff Psychologist - Primary Care Mental Health Integration

Veterans Health Administration • Columbia, MO

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist is assigned to the Behavioral Health Service Line at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital and serves as a co-located provider within Primary Care, as part of the primary care clinic’s health care team. The Truman VA is a level 1C Medical Center providing outpatient medical and mental health services at its main facility and eight Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

The psychologist provides evidence-based, recovery-oriented care to Veterans with complex mental health needs in outpatient settings. Services include education, individual and family psychotherapy, and group psychotherapy for patients and, when clinically indicated, their family members and significant others. The role provides integrated biopsychosocial and behavioral medicine services to patients assigned to the primary care team.

The incumbent develops, implements, and documents individualized psychotherapeutic treatment plans based on psychological assessments, patient preferences, measurable goals, and a multidisciplinary approach as clinically indicated. The psychologist consults with professional staff on assessment findings and treatment recommendations, exercises independent clinical judgment with full clinical privileges, and assumes professional responsibility for assessments, care decisions, and documentation. The position also supports clinical programming, program evaluation, data-driven quality improvement, and regular team and service meetings.

The position is full-time, permanent, and onsite; telework and virtual work are not available. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The full performance level is GS-13; selection may be at GS-11 through GS-13. Eligible employees may qualify for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program rules and approval.

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: an appropriately accredited doctoral program in a specialty consistent with the assignment; a qualifying doctoral degree plus an approved re-specialization program; or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree with a primarily psychological dissertation from a regionally accredited institution.
• Completion of a professional psychology internship meeting the stated APA/CPA accreditation or applicable VHA and legacy program criteria, unless eligible for the specified board-certification or historical-degree exceptions.
• A full, current, unrestricted doctoral-level psychology license in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; eligible non-licensed applicants may be temporarily appointed as graduate psychologists under licensed supervision for up to two years.
• For GS-12: at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11, plus the specified knowledge and abilities in psychological treatments and assessments, treatment strategy design, clinical procedures, and applicable research tasks.
• For GS-13: at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus ability to apply psychological treatments across patient populations, provide professional consultation in psychology and behavioral health, and knowledge of clinical research literature.
• Successful completion of required pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, and applicable drug testing; participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Compliance with Selective Service registration requirements where applicable and completion of required application documentation.
• Ability to serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Responsibilities

• Provide evidence-based and recovery-oriented brief therapeutic interventions to Veterans with complex mental health needs in outpatient settings.
• Provide education, individual and/or family psychotherapy, and group psychotherapy to patients and, when clinically indicated, family members and significant others.
• Serve as an integral member of the primary care team, delivering accessible, integrated biopsychosocial and behavioral medicine services.
• Develop, implement, and document individualized psychotherapeutic treatment plans, including measurable goals, objectives, and methods based on psychological assessment and patient preferences.
• Complete clinical reminders promptly.
• Consult with primary care and Truman VA professional staff about clinical assessment findings and appropriate treatment plans, drawing on research literature and patient-centered factors.
• Function independently as a member of the Truman VA Medical Staff with full clinical privileges and assume professional responsibility for clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation.
• Assist the Supervisory Psychologist with clinical programming design, development, and implementation, and with program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects.
• Attend and actively participate in PCMHI/CBOC team meetings and provider huddles, Service Line and facility meetings, Psychology Service staff meetings, and peer review procedures.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• 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, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Possible credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, subject to program terms.
• Child care subsidy eligibility for qualifying full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and program limits.
• 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 may be continued into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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