This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
Basic Requirements: Education: (1) Have a Doctoral degree in Psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the program was completed. The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. For purpose of meeting this requirement, the term "specialty area" refers to specific specialty areas recognized by the accrediting body and not to specific job duties that might require special skills. Note: There are no job assignments in VHA that require the skills of a School Psychologist; therefore, an applicant with a degree in this specialty area is not eligible for appointment. ---OR--- (2) Have a Doctoral Degree in any area of Psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a re-specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the re-specialization program) meeting both the following conditions: (a) The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited Doctoral Program; and (b) the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. NOTE: The applicant must provide an official transcript and / or certificate documenting the completion of the re-specialization program, which includes completion of an APA or CPA internship. [Psychologists who have successfully completed a re-specialization program as described above and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the educational requirements of these qualification standards]; ---OR--- Have a Doctoral Degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with dissertation primarily psychological in nature. ---AND--- Internships: Have successfully completed a Professional Psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed; -OR- New VHA Psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement, provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern; -OR- VHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement; -OR- Applicants who completed an internship that was not accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed may be considered eligible for hire only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. Note: Once board certified, the employee is required to maintain board certification; -OR- Applicants who have a Doctoral Degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally accredited institution with a dissertation primarily Psychological in nature may fulfill this internship requirement by having the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience in a site specifically acceptable to the candidate's Doctoral Program. If the internship experience is not noted on the applicant's official transcript, the applicant must provide a statement from the Doctoral Program verifying that the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience was completed in a site acceptable to the Doctoral Program. [Psychologists who meet the requirements of this revision and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the requirements of this qualification standard]. Licensure: Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Loss of Credential: A Psychologist who fails to maintain the required licensure must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. Psychologist, GS-13 (Full Performance Level): Experience: At least two years experience as a professional Psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. ~AND~ Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations. 2. Ability to provide professional advice, consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health. 3. Knowledge of clinical research literature. References: VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO)
NOTE: This position is multi-disciplinary and can be filled by: Social Worker, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor or Marriage & Family Therapist. Applicants must apply to the appropriate vacancy announcement. Serves as a Psychologist, (RCS Vet Center Director (VCD) and is responsible for the professional and administrative supervision and oversight of all readjustment counseling, outreach, referrals, and follow-up care coordination services provided to eligible individuals within the designated Vet Center Service Area (VSA). The VSA is a geographic area that includes multiple communities in different jurisdictions of eligible individuals. VA Careers - Psychologist: https://youtube.com/embed/77qHlLw9Xck Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Psychologist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Psychology-Career-Flyer.pdf Major Duties Include (But are not limited to): Supervising a multidisciplinary staff composed of clinical and administrative team members, whose primary mission is to provide direct readjustment counseling to eligible individuals in the areas of suicide prevention, crisis intervention, short-term and long-term treatment for symptoms associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and other related readjustment issues. Planning, developing, implementing, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating professional services rendered by subordinates. Setting guidelines and establishing intervention strategies and / or treatment priorities for individual, group, conjoint, and families employing varying clinical and therapeutic modalities. Conducting Performance Based Interviews (PBI) and determining selection processes to ensure fair and equitable recruitment of qualified, high achieving, and well prepared applicants. Developing networks and working relationships external to Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) and the Department of Veteran Affairs, with Veteran service organizations, community based agencies, and mental health organizations to enhance service delivery and develop referrals of Veteran clients to appropriate care. Serving as a Consultant and Subject Matter Expert to programs and resources external to the Vet Center on matters of the readjustment needs of Veterans. Creating, implementing, and measuring market penetration of Vet Center services through a comprehensive outreach plan for the primary service area. Ensuring fiscal / budget management, in compliance with applicable RCS and VHA policies and procedures, as an approving official for Time & Attendance reports, leases / contracts management, local staff travel, Government Purchase Card (GPC) purchases, etc. Screening and assessing of Veteran clients, treatment planning and goal setting, referral to service providers, development of a resource file, Veteran advocacy, crisis intervention, education / health promotion, coordination of non-institutional and institutional services, and individual / group counseling. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm / Some evenings and weekend / to be determined by Supervisor Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases when setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 34121A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized