Staff Psychologist - Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program

Veterans Health Administration • San Diego, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist serves at the ASPIRE Center Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP), providing psychological services to residents and collaborating with the ASPIRE team. The psychologist plays a key role in designing and implementing psychotherapy and other psychological services at the center. Staff psychologists may work in VHA inpatient, residential, or outpatient programs and settings, diagnosing mental disorders, conducting psychological and/or neuropsychological assessments, treating mental disorders through a range of modalities, and providing adjunctive interventions for medical disorders.

The role includes psychodiagnostic and risk assessments, crisis intervention, and evidence-based psychological interventions consistent with the psychologist’s competencies and the needs of the Mental Health Care Line. Services may include individual, family, and group psychotherapy. The psychologist develops, implements, and documents treatment plans, completes required clinical reminders and records, follows operational and documentation procedures, and consults with multidisciplinary colleagues. The position also includes consultation and education on empirically validated treatments, participation in administrative meetings, and operational inquiry involving the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, between 0700 and 1700, with a flexible tour within that timeframe. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. This is a full-performance-level GS-13 position, with selection possible at GS-11 through GS-13.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• A full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level psychology license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a qualifying temporary graduate psychologist appointment may be possible for eligible non-licensed applicants, subject to supervision and licensure requirements.
• A qualifying doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited program, or an eligible doctoral degree with a qualifying re-specialization program, or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree with a primarily psychological dissertation.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, subject to the stated exceptions for certain VHA, board-certified, and pre-1979 applicants.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For GS-12, at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11, plus the stated knowledge and abilities in psychological treatments or assessment, treatment strategy design and implementation, and incorporation of new clinical procedures; research-related capabilities apply where specified.
• For GS-13, at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus the stated knowledge and abilities in psychological treatment, professional consultation, behavioral health, and clinical research literature.
• Applicants must meet applicable education, licensure, and experience requirements before appointment; selected applicants must complete required onboarding and pass a pre-employment physical examination.
• Selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis; applicants must also satisfy background/security investigation, identification, and applicable seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• A one- or two-year trial period is required, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group psychotherapy to ASPIRE residents and collaborate with the ASPIRE team.
• Help design and implement psychotherapy and other psychological services at ASPIRE.
• Conduct psychodiagnostic assessments to diagnose mental disorders, perform risk assessments and crisis interventions, and administer psychological and/or neuropsychological assessments.
• Provide evidence-based psychological interventions, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy, consistent with professional competencies and patient needs.
• Develop, implement, and document treatment plans, including prompt completion of clinical reminders and other required documentation.
• Follow operational policies and procedures established for the treatment team, Impact Unit, and Mental Health Care Line.
• Collaborate with Section Chiefs, team coordinators, and/or Mental Health Care Line leadership to identify operational questions and develop plans to address them through collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.
• Comply with CPRS documentation procedures, timeliness standards, patient checkout procedures, diagnostic and procedure coding, and return-to-clinic orders.
• Attend and participate in administrative and informational meetings held by the Impact Unit, Psychology Service, Mental Health Care Line, and facility.
• Provide consultation on empirically validated treatments and consult with psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, physicians, mental health pharmacists, psychology staff, and fellows.
• Provide workshops and seminars on empirically validated psychological treatments and other areas of expertise to relevant clinical professionals.

Benefits

• Eligible employees may qualify for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with potential student loan reimbursement up to $200,000, subject to program eligibility, application, and approval.
• Federal employees receive access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on the position and employment status.
• Eligible selected applicants may request credit for prior federal or military service toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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