Staff Psychologist

Veterans Health Administration • Atlanta, GA

26d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Psychologist provides psychological assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment for patients in an outpatient general mental health setting. The position serves patients with mental disorders, including complex or unusually difficult cases, and works with an interdisciplinary treatment team to develop, implement, and document treatment plans. The psychologist also consults with medical center staff and community providers, provides education and training, and supervises psychology trainees.

The role supports the design and operation of clinical programs, program evaluation, and data-driven quality improvement. It includes coordinating care with other health programs, meeting national and local performance measures, and complying with clinical documentation and patient checkout procedures. The position is based at VAMC-Atlanta and is not virtual; ad-hoc telework may be available according to agency policy. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., subject to change based on agency needs.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to VHA eligibility and application requirements. Approved awards may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years; the VHA program office determines approval, award amount, and eligibility period. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for appointment of non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program, with a specialty consistent with the assignment; school psychology degrees do not qualify for VHA appointment.
• Alternatively, a doctoral degree in any area of psychology plus completion of a qualifying APA- or CPA-accredited respecialization program and approved internship, with a specialty consistent with the assignment.
• Successful completion of a professional psychology internship meeting the stated accreditation or VHA program conditions, or an applicable listed exception.
• Full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level psychology license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; qualifying non-licensed applicants may receive a temporary graduate psychologist appointment under supervision for up to two years.
• If the completed internship was not accredited at the time, current board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty consistent with the assignment is required, and certification must be maintained.
• For GS-12 qualification, at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11 and demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply a range of psychological treatments or assessment methods, design and implement treatment strategies, incorporate clinical procedures, and perform applicable research tasks.
• For GS-13 qualification, at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, and demonstrated ability to apply professional psychological treatments across patient populations, provide professional advice and consultation in psychology and behavioral health, and knowledge of clinical research literature.
• Selected applicants must complete a pre-employment physical examination, background/security investigation, online onboarding, and applicable identification requirements.
• Applicants selected for a testing-designated position are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must complete application requirements listed in the announcement's Required Documents section.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period and receive written certification of continued employment after the period to remain employed.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological assessment services, including psychological testing when indicated, and diagnose mental disorders, particularly in complex or unusually difficult cases.
• Provide evidence-based individual, family, and group psychotherapy.
• Develop, implement, and document interdisciplinary treatment plans for an assigned patient caseload.
• Consult with medical center staff on patient care issues.
• Facilitate patient and family education appropriate to the outpatient general mental health setting and presenting mental health issues.
• Provide consultation to VAMC-Atlanta professional staff and community providers regarding clinical assessment findings and appropriate treatment plans.
• Provide consultation and training to VAMC-Atlanta staff on identifying and managing common mental health disorders in outpatient general mental health settings when indicated.
• Supervise pre-doctoral Psychology trainees and potentially supervise trainees in other disciplines, including medical and psychiatric residents assigned to team rotations.
• Assist the Clinical Director and Medical Director in designing, developing, and implementing clinical programs for treatment providers.
• Follow operational policies and procedures for the treatment team.
• Assist the Clinical Director and Medical Director with program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects.
• Coordinate services through liaisons with other health care programs.
• Comply with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders.
• Follow CPRS documentation procedures, including documentation timeliness and patient checkout procedures such as entering diagnostic and procedure codes.
• Attend and participate in administrative and informational meetings held by the Mental Health Service Line Director or designee and facility Director.
• May serve on hospital or Mental Health Service Line committees and/or take on special projects.

Benefits

• Eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, with potential approved awards up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of one to five years, subject to program review and requirements.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

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