Staff Psychologist- Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI)
About The Position
The Staff Psychologist serves as a Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) behavioral health consultant, administratively aligned with the Mental Health Service and assigned to Collocated Collaborative Care (CCC) in Primary Care. The psychologist works collaboratively with the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) to promote prevention, early identification, and treatment of mild to moderate behavioral health and health behavior concerns as part of routine primary care. The position provides brief, evidence-based interventions, education, and consultation to Veterans, Primary Care Providers, and other PACT members. Visits are generally 30 minutes or less, limited to 1–6 visits, and structured as a routine primary care service. The psychologist integrates into a fast-paced primary care clinic and participates in team activities such as huddles, case reviews, consultation, and education. Direct services include brief, focused interventions, often delivered through in-person warm handoffs within PACT to support same-day access. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, either 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. or 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Ad-hoc telework is available; this is not a virtual position. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and application requirements. Recruitment or relocation incentives are authorized for highly qualified candidates.
Requirements
- U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
- Doctoral degree in psychology from an eligible accredited program, or an applicable alternative doctoral-degree and re-specialization or grandfathering pathway described in the announcement.
- Successful completion of a qualifying professional psychology internship, subject to the stated exceptions.
- Full, current, and unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English.
- For GS-12: at least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11, plus the stated knowledge, skills, and abilities; no experience beyond basic requirements is required for GS-11.
- For GS-13: at least two years of professional psychologist experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-12, plus the stated knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Meet applicable pre-employment screening, background investigation, physical examination, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
- Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as required.
Nice To Haves
- Highly qualified candidates may be considered for authorized recruitment or relocation incentives.
- Eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program; awards of up to $200,000 may be available after program review, subject to eligibility and application requirements.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate within the Patient Aligned Care Team to promote prevention, early identification, and treatment of mild to moderate behavioral health and health behavior concerns.
- Provide brief, evidence-based interventions, education, and consultation to Veterans, Primary Care Providers, and allied PACT members.
- Deliver brief, focused services, generally in visits of 30 minutes or less and limited to 1–6 visits.
- Participate in team-based activities, including huddles, case reviews, consultation, and education.
- Provide in-person warm-handoff services within PACT to support same-day access.
- Apply psychological treatments or assessment methods and design and implement effective treatment strategies, as applicable to grade-level qualifications.
- Provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health, as applicable to grade-level qualifications.
Benefits
- Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and application requirements; potential award up to $200,000.
- Recruitment or relocation incentives are authorized for highly qualified candidates.
- Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
