Staff Psychologist

Veterans Health Administration • Bronx, NY

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as the Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) for the James J. Peters Bronx VA Medical Center. Organizationally co-aligned with Mental Health Service, the SPC provides suicide prevention services throughout the medical center’s catchment area. The incumbent manages the daily operation of the Suicide Prevention Program, provides care coordination and case management, administers crisis interventions, promotes system and community crisis resources, delivers suicide prevention education and training, and collects and records required data for national, VISN, and local reporting.

As a member of the Suicide Prevention Team, the SPC collaborates on program policies and procedures and implements suicide prevention strategies. The role coordinates and monitors services for Veterans identified as high risk for suicide, works with treatment coordinators and clinical teams, provides consultation and individualized case management, and helps ensure appropriate follow-up and care. The SPC also responds to referrals and supports risk assessment and interventions involving abuse, neglect, exploitation, and domestic or intimate partner violence. Outreach and training activities promote suicide prevention practices, awareness of risk factors and lethal-means safety, and knowledge of available resources, including the Veterans Crisis Line.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling, telework, virtual work, and relocation or recruitment incentives are not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program eligibility and approval; awards may be up to $200,000. The full-performance and vacancy grade is GS-13.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited graduate program, with a specialty consistent with the assignment; alternatively, qualifying doctoral education and re-specialization, or a qualifying 1951–1978 doctoral degree, as specified in the announcement.
• Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, or an applicable alternative described in the announcement.
• Full, current, unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• At least two years of postdoctoral experience as a professional psychologist, including at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level; experience must be directly related to the duties and at a level comparable to or exceeding the next lower level.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to apply professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.
• Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in professional psychology and behavioral health.
• Knowledge of clinical research literature.
• Must meet applicable background/security investigation, drug testing, seasonal influenza vaccination, onboarding, and application documentation requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the terms described in the announcement.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operation of the Suicide Prevention Program for the medical center’s catchment area.
• Coordinate and monitor mental health and medical services for Veterans identified as high risk for suicide.
• Collaborate with Veterans’ Mental Health Treatment Coordinators and clinical treatment teams to provide suicide prevention consultation, track treatment progress, and deliver individualized, comprehensive case management.
• Collaborate with treating clinicians to assess risk and advise on criteria for Category I High Risk for Suicide Patient Record Flag placements; ensure appropriate care and follow-up after placement, including increased clinical visit frequency and follow-up after missed appointments.
• Work with healthcare teams to identify and assess risk, safety, and supports and implement appropriate interventions or treatment for individuals experiencing abuse, neglect, exploitation, or domestic or intimate partner violence.
• Adhere to VA and mandated reporter requirements and advise interdisciplinary teams on abuse, neglect, exploitation, and intimate partner violence issues.
• Respond to referrals from staff, the Veterans Crisis Line, and other points of contact to ensure at-risk Veterans promptly receive care and services.
• Provide crisis interventions and promote system-wide and community crisis resources.
• Conduct mandated outreach and awareness activities to promote suicide prevention best practices and public understanding of suicide risk factors, military culture, lethal-means safety, and available resources.
• Provide suicide prevention education and training to clinical and nonclinical VA staff and community organizations that interact with Veterans; topics may include crisis response, safety planning, postvention, risk screening, and evaluation.
• Disseminate clinical practice guidelines and suicide prevention educational materials.
• Collect and record required data for national, VISN, and local reporting.
• Collaborate with Suicide Prevention Team members to develop program policies and procedures and implement suicide prevention strategies.
• Meet customer needs while supporting Medical Center and Service missions.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan reimbursement, subject to eligibility and approval, with awards of up to $200,000.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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